Anaheim Ducks edged the Florida Panthers 3-2 in overtime before hosting the Edmonton Oilers in a Pacific Division matchup on Wednesday night. The Ducks improved to 2-0 on the season with the win, while the Oilers entered the game at 2-0-1.
Anaheim’s victory over Florida came after a season in which they finished with a 43-33-6 record overall and 21-15-2 within their division. The Ducks were among the more penalized teams last year, committing 323 penalties, which averaged to 3.9 penalties and nearly 10 penalty minutes per game. Those numbers hint at a physical style that may test Edmonton’s discipline on the ice.
Edmonton, meanwhile, had a 41-30-11 overall record last season and fared well in Pacific Division play with an 18-10-4 mark. The Oilers managed to score 282 goals in total, averaging 3.4 goals per game on 29.7 shots. Those offensive stats set a benchmark for their performance as they seek to maintain momentum against Anaheim.
Both teams enter this encounter with multiple players sidelined. The Ducks are missing Drew Helleson (lower-body), Troy Terry (hip), and Ian Moore (lower-body). Edmonton’s list is longer, with Jason Dickinson out due to a foot injury, Alec Regula and Zach Hyman sidelined for undisclosed reasons, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins out with a lower-body issue, Frederik Andersen recovering from a knee injury, and Matt Savoie and Mattias Janmark also unavailable with unspecified ailments.
The game takes place in Anaheim, California, with puck drop scheduled for 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. This matchup could affect the Pacific Division standings early in the season, as both teams look to establish their position.
The Ducks’ recent overtime win may boost their confidence, while the Oilers will aim to capitalize on their offensive capabilities despite the injury challenges. The latest confirmed information shows both teams still managing their rosters amid these absences as the season progresses.
According to Yahoo Sports.
