Let's take a look at the Anaheim Ducks

by FrankD on Nov 3, 2009 8:15 AM EST in 2009-10 game previews Comment 6 comments

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

Ducks goaltender Jonas HIller

[SBN Anaheim Ducks blog - Anaheim Calling]

[SBN Battle of California]

Tonight begins Pittsburgh's three-game west coast road trip which includes stops in Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose. Might I suggest taking a nap during your lunch break so as to not be tired by the time the puck drops at 10:00.

Currently Anaheim sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 4-6-2 record that ties them with Minnesota for last place. But the season's still young as I'm sure you've heard countless times by now. Not to mention the Pens just lost a game to that Minnesota Wild team so hey, rule nothing out.

The Ducks recently cut former Penguin/Marian Hossa trade-bait-offer Erik Christensen from the lineup. From a personal standpoint I always felt Christensen had a lot of untapped potential that he just wasn't backing with substantial amounts of self-confidence. In any case, he now must clear waivers before getting assigned to the minors.

Unlike Christensen, former Pen Ryan Whitney is still a Duck and will be in the lineup tonight. You may remember the deal for Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi that sent Whitney packing for Anaheim right before last year's trade deadline. This season, Whit scored a goal in the first game against San Jose but has since been held scoreless in 11 straight, adding only six assists to his seven point total.

Jonas Hiller has been getting a majority of the work between the pipes for Anaheim, starting nine of the team's 12 games this season and posting a 4-4-1 record along the way. J.S. Giguere is on his way back from a groin injury, but it's doubtful he'll see any action tonight.

The Ducks will also be without defenseman James Wisniewski as he serves a two-game suspension for his forearm hit on Phoenix's Shane Doan Saturday night. Video of the hit up on Anaheim Calling.

Other Ducks to keep an eye on: Team point-leader Corey Perry (8g, 7a), Ryan Getzlaf (1g, 10a) and Scott Niedermayer (1g, 7a). Former Duck-turned-Flyer-turned-Duck-again Joffrey Lupul is also off to a decent start with 5g and 3a.

Puck and thread drop at 10pm. Join us!

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Love to see the Pens play the west coast teams, just like it better when they are coming here….Is this the year the Ducks move JSG? Let me be the first to start the Kaberle for JSG rumors.

by genomachine-O on Nov 3, 2009 11:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

No worries. Ducks are coming to Mellon on Nov 16., so hopefully this is just the beginning of a sweep over Anaheim.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Nov 3, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lol I hope so too!

This will be a very interesting game. Have been looking forward to this roadtrip for a while now, so I’m excited.

by AppleSweetRose on Nov 3, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A little bit off subject, but looking back who would have thought that Colby Armstrong would have been the biggest asset given up in the Hossa deal? I know Pens fans loved his personality but as far as playing ehh. Esposito can’t even make the Thrashers, Christensen has panned out anywhere. I guess jury is still out on the other pick but geez.

by genomachine-O on Nov 3, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think there’s any regret over who the Pens dished for Hossa. Colby is a good fit in ATL and might put up a 20/20 season but really what the Pens gained that season outweighed that which was given up. Christensen is likely going down to the minors and Espo really doesn’t come off as a guy who’s going to make a big NHL impact. His stock dropped dramatically in the 07 Draft and with good reason.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Nov 3, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs