The Anaheim Ducks (12-28-5) will be out to snap their losing streak when they are on the road to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-29-2) at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. Anaheim is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Flyers on Tuesday, their fifth defeat in a row.
The Ducks committed six penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Adam Henrique and Frank Vatrano both scored once for the Ducks. Anthony Stolarz saved only 34 of 38 shots against (.894%) in the loss. Columbus fell 2-1 to the Predators on Tuesday.
Gustav Nyquist was the only player to score for the Blue Jackets. Daniil Tarasov had a great performance with 26 saves (.928%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Ducks won both games between the teams last season, including a 6-4 victory in their final meeting in April. Troy Terry (2G 1A) and Derek Grant (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Anaheim. Jake Bean led Columbus with two goals. John Gibson got the win despite allowing four goals on 35 shots (.885%).
FACING OFF
Anaheim is averaging just 2.27 goals per game for the season, worst in the NHL. The visitors will look to improve on that figure against a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 3.89 goals a game (30th).
Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.50 times a game on average, 30th in the league, and will be looking to capitalize on the Ducks’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score a league-worst 4.18 goals per game.
Columbus averages fewer shots (28.8) than most teams in the league, ranking 28th, while the team’s 8.8% shooting percentage is 30th. With an average of 28.8 attempts, Anaheim ranks 27th.
Power play opportunities should be plentiful for the Blue Jackets, as the Ducks are averaging 4.69 penalties per game, second-most in the NHL.
The visitors’ 11.60 penalty minutes a game ranks fourth-highest. The home team has been penalized 3.89 times a game (16th) for an average of 8.59 minutes (19th).
The Blue Jackets’ 14.66% power play percentage is the worst in the league, while Anaheim’s 15.79% conversion rate ranks second-lowest. Anaheim has been equally unimpressive at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s third-lowest PK% at 72.05%. Columbus’ 76.71% ranks 18th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 36 and 35 points this season, Terry and Trevor Zegras have been the top skaters for the Ducks. In the net, Stolarz (3-5-0) is Anaheim’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.88 GAA and a .893% save percentage.
Gibson (7-19-4) leads the Ducks in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 4.14 and a save percentage of .895%.Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with 41 points. He has 12 goals and 29 assists.
Joonas Korpisalo (6-8-1) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.28. He has a save percentage of .908%. Elvis Merzlikins (5-12-0) has played the most games in net for the Blue Jackets this season. He has a 4.44 GAA and a .869% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Anaheim is looking to reverse a three-game road losing streak this season. Columbus is 10-14-1 at Nationwide Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Columbus Blue Jackets
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
