The Anaheim Ducks are set to face the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center, aiming for their sixth consecutive win. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT and will be broadcast exclusively on Victory+.
On Sunday night, the Ducks secured a 3-2 shootout victory over the Calgary Flames after coming from behind. Cutter Gauthier scored twice, including the tying goal in the third period, and Mason McTavish netted the winning goal in the shootout.
“A full 65-minute effort,” Gauthier said. “We knew coming in they were going to be a tough opponent. We were able to get the job done.”
With this win, Anaheim extended its streak to five games, marking the second-longest active winning run in the Western Conference behind Dallas. The team also moved into second place in the Pacific Division, one point behind Vegas.
“I think everyone’s just having fun, everyone’s playing the right way,” Jackson LaCombe said regarding the recent success. “Obviously we had a slump there where we had to figure out a better way to play hockey and I think since then, we’ve been playing a way better brand of hockey.”
Tonight’s matchup features two leading teams from the Western Conference. Head coach Joel Quenneville noted that an earlier season win in Colorado demonstrated what his team can achieve against top competition.
“We’ve got a little confidence coming out of the break with the way we’ve won some games, some fun wins,” Quenneville said. “But at the same time, it’s gonna take no lulls, big starts, and consistency. Try and eliminate their rush game is what we’re really getting at tonight. But it is a good test for us as we know the importance of the game and where we’re at right now. We want to push ahead here and put ourselves where we want to get to.”
The Avalanche are also on a back-to-back schedule after defeating the Los Angeles Kings last night, becoming this season’s first team to reach 40 wins. Devon Toews scored late in regulation for Colorado while Martin Necas added an empty net goal for a 4-2 result.
Nathan MacKinnon contributed both a goal and an assist during that game and currently leads Colorado in goals (41), assists (58), and points (99).
This contest marks the final regular season meeting between Anaheim and Colorado; each team has won once so far this year. The Ducks claimed their last encounter with a 2-1 shootout victory in January.
