Game #50: Ducks vs. Kraken Gameday Preview

SEATTLE - The Ducks begin a short two-game road trip to the American and Canadian Northwest with games against the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames.

The Ducks won 5-2 against the Nashville Predators on Saturday while the Kraken lost 4-2 to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. The Kraken will play a unique second game of a back-to-back (SEGABABA), as Monday's game was in Edmonton.

“Every team kind of forechecks similarly,” Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said. “A little bit of difference is how aggressive the D are coming down the walls, but we have to use that blueprint (from Saturday) offensively every game.

“The one thing (the Kraken) will do is they will crash down the wall fairly predictably with their defense and we're going to have to manage that tonight.”

Seattle is a favorite opponent for Trevor Zegras, who has 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 12 games in his career against them. Not only has he scored a between-the-legs goal against them, but he's also scored a lacrosse-style goal against them. What will he have up his sleeve this time?

“Oh geez. I don’t know. Usually, those aren’t planned, so whatever happens, happens and hopefully, we can win.”

The Ducks are currently on a two-game winning streak, and it's no surprise that it coincides with Zegras' return from injury. His return has added another skilled forward to Leo Carlsson's line, and the pair's combination complements the strengths of Alex Killorn, who makes up the final third of that line.

Carlsson wasn’t sure of the word he was looking for to describe what Zegras brings. He proposed ‘fancy’ before deciding otherwise. ‘Good camaraderie’, was suggested by a nearby Cutter Gauthier. “His energy and skill” is what Carlsson finally settled on.

“(Seattle) is fast, Zegras said. “They play quick. They’ve got a goalie that can handle the puck (Joey Daccord), so that's usually something to think about. Matty Beniers is a good buddy of mine, got to watch out for him and a couple of other guys.”

John Gibson left Saturday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return, but he was on the ice for Monday's practice. He'll serve as the backup for Tuesday's game with Lukáš Dostál getting the start after he did a terrific job in relief on Saturday.

Philipp Grubauer is expected to start for the Kraken after Daccord got the start on Monday against the Oilers. Grubauer's last appearance came on Jan. 12 against the Detroit Red Wings. He allowed three goals on four shots––all in the first period––before being pulled for Daccord.

Ducks Projected Lines

Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Troy Terry
Trevor Zegras - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Robby Fabbri
Jansen Harkins - Isac Lundeström - Brett Leason

Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas
Pavel Mintyukov - Jacob Trouba
Brian Dumoulin - Drew Helleson

Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)

Kraken Projected Lines

Jaden Schwartz - Matty Beniers - Kaapo Kakko
André Burakovsky - Chandler Stephenson - Oliver Bjorkstrand
Jared McCann - Shane Wright - Eeli Tolvanen
Brandon Tanev - Mitchell Stephens - John Hayden

Vince Dunn - Adam Larsson
Ryker Evans - Brandon Montour
Jamie Oleksiak - Josh Mahura

Philipp Grubauer (confirmed)