Ducks Face Off Against Bruins Amidst Struggles and Changes

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks are set to host the Boston Bruins tonight at Honda Center, beginning their five-game homestand following a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.

Despite a late third-period surge that saw Trevor Zegras score to pull within one goal, the Ducks could not overcome an early deficit against one of the league’s top-performing teams. “Early on, it’s not like we were playing badly, but it just felt like we were a little hesitant,” forward Troy Terry said. “They have a really good team, and I thought at times we were maybe a little hesitant at the start.”

The Ducks’ struggles were compounded by a lackluster performance on the power play, which went 0-for-6. Coach Greg Cronin noted the importance of capitalizing on opportunities: “Those sting because we had plenty of chances to get more than two goals,” he said. The Ducks’ recent loss leaves them at 30-32-8 for the season and 15 points out of playoff contention with just 12 games remaining.

As Anaheim prepares for the Bruins, they are facing a team in transition. The Bruins recently traded veteran captain Brad Marchand, whose absence is felt as they strive for playoff positioning. Marchand has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since the trade, leaving the team at a crossroads as they sit at 30-33-9 with only nine points separating them from the last Wild Card spot. “We know we’re sort of taking a step back in the course of the season because we haven’t been to the level we need to be,” Bruins GM Don Sweeney explained.

Boston’s form has struggled since the trade deadline, sporting a 2-6-1 record, including a recent loss to the Los Angeles Kings. “It comes down to just coming out and playing hard,” said Bruins center Casey Mittelstadt. “Obviously, you get in a slump like this and maybe you’re gripping your stick a little more than normal.”

Despite their current standings, Ducks captain Radko Gudas expressed optimism about the team’s growth, especially in high-pressure situations. “We keep battling. I think it’s been a fun process finding out what we’re made of,” Gudas stated. The Ducks have shown resilience, with young players like Terry, Zegras, and Leo Carlsson leading the charge in the offensive department.

During their last matchup against the Predators on March 20, the Ducks came close to a victory but fell in overtime despite a strong performance from Carlsson. “It was a good third period for us, lots of chances,” Carlsson said after that game.

As Anaheim aims to find their footing in the closing weeks of the season, tonight’s game against Boston will be crucial in determining their final standings and growth as a team moving forward.