Red Wings vs. Ducks Preview
ANAHEIM, CA (AP) – The Detroit Red Wings have beaten the Anaheim Ducks twice during their strong start to the season, but both games were at Joe Louis Arena.
Winning in Anaheim has proved to be a little more difficult for the Red Wings in recent seasons.
With the Ducks riding a three-game win streak, Detroit could have another tough time at Honda Center as it also tries for a fourth straight victory Friday night.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Red Wings -130 money line favorites for Friday’s game against the Ducks. Current NHL Public Betting Information shows that 65% of more than 167 bets for this game have been placed on the Red Wings -130.
Trends say Anaheim is 19-8 ATS in home games revenging a loss over the last two seasons.
The Western Conference-leading Red Wings (16-4-2) broke a two-game skid to the Ducks by defeating them 4-0 to open the season Oct. 8, and knocked off Anaheim again 5-4 on Oct. 23.
Henrik Zetterberg had two goals and two assists in the second meeting, giving him six goals and nine assists in his last six matchups with the Ducks. Both games were in Detroit, though, and the Wings haven’t been nearly as successful at Honda Center of late.
Detroit has won 22 of 24 matchups at Joe Louis Arena, but the Wings have gone 3-8-1-1 in their last 13 at Anaheim. Detroit managed one goal in each visit last season – both losses.
Anaheim has also taken six of eight postseason meetings with Detroit at Honda Center.
The Wings look to change their road fortunes in the series as they seek a season high-tying fourth consecutive victory. Detroit is coming off a 5-3 win over San Jose on Tuesday night, as it built a 2-0 lead in the first 8:01.
Zetterberg matched his season high for points with two goals and two assists, breaking a three-game scoring drought and moving within one point of 500 for his career.
The center scored one of his goals by batting in a mid-air pass.
“Once in a while you just try to whack it in the net,” Zetterberg said. “It was fun to see it go in.”
While the Red Wings are surging, they’ll be facing a Ducks team that has scored 13 times during its own three-game run. Anaheim managed 10 10 goals during an 0-4-2 skid that preceded the win streak.
Anaheim got two goals from enforcer George Parros in a 5-3 victory over Florida on Wednesday night.
“I’m glad our line could finally able to contribute,” Parros said. “You can’t just rely on the top two lines every night, so it definitely helps to chip in.”
The Ducks’ top line, though, has been pretty reliable of late. Ryan Getzlaf ended an eight-game goal drought, while linemates Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry continued to produce.
Ryan scored his sixth goal in as many games and Perry had a goal and an assist, giving him 12 points in 10 contests.
Ryan has recorded four goals and three assists in his last seven games against the Red Wings. Getzlaf has 19 assists over the past 13 matchups.
Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood, out since Oct. 30 with a groin injury, could return Friday. The veteran has gone 14-3-1 with two ties, a shutout and a 2.57 goals-against average versus Anaheim.
Top Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, however, blanked Anaheim in the Oct. 8 meeting. He’s 4-2-0 with a 2.68 GAA in six lifetime matchups with the Ducks.
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