Anaheim is coming off maybe its best effort, but also its most disappointing defeat of the young season. The Ducks led by a goal with under two minutes to play Tuesday against the Jets, seemingly headed for the club's third win, but two goals by Winnipeg's Nikolaj Ehlers just 19 seconds apart stole the victory for the visitors. After a painful loss, the Ducks say there are lessons to be learned, while ensuring the game is in their rear-view mirror.
"We went through a few things we can do better in the game, a few things we want to encourage them to keep doing, and we try to win today," Eakins said following Wednesday's practice. "The one thing you don't want to happen is keep living in the past, living with your mistakes and beating yourself up over it. That's when you have a huge black cloud."
Eakins credited captain Ryan Getzlaf's leadership in helping the club stay focused heading into tonight's bounce-back opportunity.
"The thing Getzlaf has done with the group is, 'Hey, we learn our lessons. We don't accept it and we win today,'" Eakins said. "It's as simple as that."
Getzlaf remains two points (986) from matching Teemu Selanne (988) for the Ducks' all-time scoring lead. Anaheim's captain owns four points in his first seven appearances, including three assists in his last four games. Currently in his 17th NHL season, all with the Ducks, Getzlaf ranks sixth in assists and eighth in points since 2006.
Anaheim's thriving power play will meet a worthy foe in the visiting Sabres. Buffalo has killed 14-of-16 (87.5%) opposing power plays to begin the season, tied for sixth in the NHL. The Ducks have converted on the man advantage in five of seven games thus far and rank tied for fourth among league leaders in power-play goals (6).
The Sabres begin a four-game road trip tonight at Honda Center, visiting Anaheim for the first time since October 16, 2019, a 5-2 Ducks win. Widely picked to finish near the bottom of the standings, the Sabres have defied expectations in the early going, with a 4-1-1 record through six games.
Tonight's meeting will mark the 40th all-time matchup between the Ducks and Sabres, with both clubs even at 20 wins a piece.
Buffalo will be without a pair of forwards tonight as Casey Mittlestadt and Cody Eakin continue to nurse injuries.
The Ducks will visit the Sabres to conclude the two-game season series on Dec. 7 at KeyBank Center.
