Game 13 - Ducks Vs Wild Gameday Preview

Anaheim, California — The Ducks will face off with Minnesota Wild for game three of a six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon at Anaheim Ice Rink. The Ducks have lost both games during their homestand so far after falling 4-2 to Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday and 5-1 against Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, respectively. On the contrary, Minnesota Wild are undefeated after beating San Jose Sharks 4-2. Ducks head coach Greg Cronin noted, “Their style of play is extremely connected; they know where they’re heading efficiently when moving the puck; you can see there’s real synergy to how they do everything.” The Jets currently lead in Western Conference. These veterans and coaches know their game inside-out; I think they lead all NHL clubs in defensive analytics so should prove difficult opponents to face off against. Filip Gustavsson (32) makes an incredible save during the opening period at Xcel Energy Center against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (60.00). Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports Following their low 5-on-5 chance total against Vancouver, Cronin adjusted his lines during practice yesterday; these seem likely to hold for tonight’s matchup against San Jose. Isaac Lundestrom joined Leo Carlsson and Robby Fabbri in being elevated onto a top line while Mason McTavish dropped down into fourth line duty. Ryan Strome will return to centering Frank Vatrano and Troy Terry after spending time on Carlsson and Fabbri’s line as a wing. Cronin stated that Lundestrom will provide their team with another reliable faceoff option considering Carlsson has struggled in that department during this season. Cronin previously lamented how faceoff losses, along with events following them, can quickly turn against them in seconds. On October 31st in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA Sidney Crosby (87) of Pittsburgh Penguins takes part in a faceoff between himself (21), Isac Lundestrom of Anaheim Ducks. They meet during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images “My approach has always been to play my own game while winning battles for (Carlsson and Fabbri),” said Lundestrom. “Leo has great speed while Fabri is great at getting pucks back.” As it’s going to be my first experience playing on a wing, this will prove both an interesting challenge and new opportunity for me, I believe there should be room to contribute from all sides. Defenseman Cam Fowler did not participate in morning skate, with coach Joe Cronin only providing brief explanation of why. Team sources confirmed Fowler is suffering from an upper-body injury. Should Fowler opt not to play, Jackson LaCombe and Urho Vaakanainen would come into the lineup for their debut this season. Vaakanainen and LaCombe have both been healthy scratches for Anaheim thus far while LaCombe was among them when Anaheim took on Vancouver. Related: Ducks Vs Wild Pre-Game Stat Pack With two games back-to-back today for Minnesota, they did not hold a morning skate today.