(SportsNetwork.com) – The NHL-leading Anaheim Ducks will try to stay hot in
December on Saturday night as they visit the Arizona Coyotes.
The Ducks have won nine of their 11 games this month and top the league with
51 points. They came off of a 3-2-0 road trip with Monday’s home victory
against San Jose, beating the Sharks 3-2 in overtime.
Anaheim has won all four of its games at home this month and begins an eight-
game residency on Sunday with a visit from the Vancouver Canucks. The Ducks’
next road game after tonight isn’t scheduled until Jan. 17.
Ryan Kesler had the game-winning goal in the win over the Sharks sniping a
shot past Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi and into the net at the 58-second mark
of overtime.
“He stopped me at the far post a few times. Third time is a charm,” Kesler
deadpanned.
Rickard Rakell netted his first NHL regular-season goal and Cam Fowler also
lit the lamp for the Ducks, while Ryan Getzlaf had two assists and Frederik
Andersen came up with 30 saves.
Anaheim lost forward Tim Jackman to a facial injury in the second period as
he was hit in the face by the glove and butt end of the stick by San Jose’s
John Scott.
Scott was suspended four games for the incident.
Jackman’s status for this game is unknown as the Ducks visit a Coyotes team
that is looking to beat a team other than the Edmonton Oilers.
The Coyotes are 3-8-2 in their last 13 games and all three wins have come
versus the Oilers. That includes a 5-1 triumph in Edmonton on Tuesday.
Former Oilers Sam Gagner and Devan Dubnyk shined in the win, with Gagner
posting two goals and four points and Dubnyk making 26 saves.
“I found a few things that I can really concentrate on every game,” said
Dubnyk. “It’s about pushing, stopping and being set and finding the puck. You
have to work to do those things.”
Arizona also received goals from Martin Erat, Keith Yandle and Brandon
Gormley. Martin Hanzal supplied three assists in the win.
The Coyotes seek a second straight win at home. They had snapped a franchise-
worst nine-game skid as the hosting team with a 2-1 overtime victory versus
the Oilers on Dec. 16.
Arizona forward Lauri Korpikoski could return to the lineup tonight after
missing the previous four games with a lower-body injury.
The Coyotes split two meetings with the Ducks earlier this season in Anaheim.
The Ducks have won six of the previous seven meetings overall.
