Ducks Host Hurricanes for Crucial Homestand Opener Tonight

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks kick off a pivotal five-game homestand tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes at Honda Center, with puck drop scheduled for 5 p.m.

Returning to home ice after a 1-1-1 road trip, the Ducks finished their series with a decisive 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Despite trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Ducks mounted a comeback with three goals in the second frame. Goaltender John Gibson, in his return from injury, made 33 saves to secure victory.

“I thought we were good after the 10-minute mark of the first period,” said head coach Greg Cronin. “We started to get some forechecking time and zone time. When we’re on our game and we’re getting pucks back on the forecheck, it leads to more offensive zone time. We’re getting more comfortable with it and we built off of that throughout the game.”

Gibson’s performance against the Predators marked his 203rd career NHL victory, placing him just three wins shy of J.S. Giguere’s franchise record. “He was great; he made some unbelievable saves in the third period,” said forward Trevor Zegras, who contributed two points in the clash. “Mr. Orange County. He’s got that nickname for a reason. I don’t know how much time he missed, but it looked like none at all. We’re always very happy to have him between the pipes.”

With their latest win, the Ducks improved their season record to 30-31-8 but remain 11 points out of a playoff position. “There’s incremental growth,” Cronin stated. “As we get more and more familiar with playoff-type games, they’ll have to make adjustments that increase our chances of being successful. Some of that is puck management, some decisions on changes… They’re a young team and learning.”

The Ducks have 13 games left in the regular season, with eight set to take place at Honda Center. This homestand features matches against the Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and New York Rangers over the next two weeks. The Hurricanes come into tonight’s game eager to rebound from a heavy 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings the previous night.

Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour reflected on the defeat, explaining, “Sometimes it happens in hockey. They made some nice plays and then made some great shots from their chances early, and then the game gets out of hand.” The Hurricanes currently sit second in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 42-23-4 and 88 points.

Tonight, the Ducks aim for a season sweep of the Hurricanes after previously securing a narrow 3-2 overtime victory in Raleigh, where Cutter Gauthier scored his first career overtime winner.