The Ducks enter play Tuesday with a 2-1-0 record after a comeback OT win over the Flames. Rickard Rakell scored the game-tying goal in the third period to force overtime and Jamie Drysdale finished off a backdoor pass from Troy Terry to earn Anaheim the extra standings point.
"I think that's a really big game for Terry," head coach Dallas Eakins said. "He's getting the necessary lessons and maturity where he knows he can choose his confidence. I was happy to see him rewarded. Not just for the team, but for the kid himself."
John Gibson stopped 41-of-43 shots in his return to the net after missing Friday's game with a lower-body injury. Gibson has a 1.46 goals against average and .961 save percentage, good for two wins in his first two appearances.
A focal point throughout training camp, Anaheim has gotten production offensively throughout the lineup early in the season. Nine Ducks already have multiple points through three games, including Cam Fowler (1-2=3), Kevin Shattenkirk (1-2=3) and Jakob Silfverberg (1-2=3).
Anaheim meets their division rival tonight for the first time since February 2020 after Edmonton competed in the temporary North Division, comprising all seven Canadian clubs, for the shortened 2020-21 campaign. The Ducks and Oilers will meet for a three-game season series, including Apr. 3 at Honda Center.
Anaheim's lineup could look a bit different than it did Monday night after Mason McTavish, Hampus Lindholm and Max Jones all left the game due to injury. The Ducks have not clarified the status of any of the three players.
The Oilers have gotten off to a hot start, winning each of their first two games to open the season. After a record-setting 2020-21 season, the Oilers dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have picked up right where they left off a year ago. McDavid has already collected five points (3-2=5) through two appearances, including a hat trick against Calgary in the campaign's first Battle of Alberta.
The Oilers are backstopped by veteran Mike Smith, who ranks third among NHL netminders in save percentage (.953%, min. two games played), behind Gibson and Jack Campbell.
