The Anaheim Ducks are set to face the Nashville Predators at Honda Center on April 7, marking the second of three regular season meetings between the teams. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. PT start and will be broadcast on KCOP-13 and Victory+.
With only five games remaining in the regular season, both teams are competing for playoff positions. The Ducks currently have 87 points, tied with the Edmonton Oilers, while Nashville trails Los Angeles by one point for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Anaheim head coach Joel Quenneville addressed his team’s approach as they enter this crucial stretch. “We need to play a solid game,” Quenneville said. “I think that we’ve got to earn our way into this playoff year. I think that whether we got a little bit expecting that it’s already been achieved where we’re at, we’d all take where we’re at today knowing we’re tied for first place, and everybody’s got five games to go. Anybody can win it.
“Let’s incentive ourselves and play this game like it’s a playoff game and that’s the meaning and the purpose … You’ve gotta earn it in this business and in this situation as well. Let’s go get it.”
Quenneville also provided updates on several injured players ahead of tonight’s matchup. Cutter Gauthier skated lightly but is not expected back until later in the homestand; however, Quenneville remains optimistic about his return before its conclusion: “Cutter skated today, very light like he did the other day,” he said. “But progress … We’re shooting [to see him] before the end of the homestand.” Radko Gudas is making daily progress but does not have a set timetable: Gudas is “getting better every day” per Quenneville, who added “he’s closer than he was before.” Ross Johnston continues his recovery from a lower-body injury sustained in mid-March; Quenneville said Johnston’s timeline remains unchanged but “he’s doing pretty well” with hopes of returning soon.
The Predators come into Anaheim after losing to Los Angeles Kings in a shootout last night—a result that intensified competition for postseason spots in their conference. “A game is a game,” Filip Forsberg said following their loss. “I mean, it was an important game tonight, but the next one is important, too. The last one was, too.”
Lukas Dostal will start as goaltender for Anaheim according to Quenneville.
