The Anaheim Ducks are set to begin a five-game road trip with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on Victory+ and KCOP-13.
Anaheim enters the series after a decisive 7-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, marking the fifth time this season that the team has scored seven or more goals in a single game. The Ducks also recorded 53 shots on goal during that match, including 44 in the second period—a franchise record for shots through two periods.
“I really loved our effort right from the get-go,” head coach Joel Quenneville said. “It was frustrating last Sunday in Chicago, and we started the same way, but I liked that we wanted to have it for 60 minutes, and tonight, we did.”
With this win, Anaheim remains at the top of the Pacific Division with 37 points. This record represents their best start through 29 games since the 2014-15 season.
As they prepare for their upcoming road games, forward Frank Vatrano described the challenge ahead: “I think we just gotta take it one game at a time and play the hockey we know how to play,” Vatrano said.
The Penguins return home after three away games where they went 2-0-1. Their most recent outing resulted in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 30 points (18 goals, 12 assists), while Evgeni Malkin has tallied 29 points and leads with 21 assists; however, Malkin is now listed as week-to-week due to an upper body injury.
Reflecting on their previous encounter earlier this season—a game Anaheim won 4-3—Quenneville commented on Pittsburgh’s performance: “When we saw [Pittsburgh] earlier in the year, kind of surprised us with how fast they are and where they’re at as well,” Quenneville said.
Vatrano outlined what he believes will be key for another Ducks victory: “I think we have to slow down their transition,” Vatrano mentioned. “Obviously, they have some players over there that can hurt you so I think for us, it’s be good defensively and try to slow down their transition as much as possible. Good defense leads to good offense.”
