Amidst a challenging midseason stretch that has seen a rotating lineup navigating COVID-19 protocols and an inconsistent level of play, the Ducks look to right the ship on home ice, where they've enjoyed plenty of success this season. Anaheim is 12-6-4 at Honda Center, but just 7-9-3 on the road.
The back-to-back losses in Minnesota and Chicago dropped Anaheim to 2-5-1 since the NHL's holiday break. The Ducks are currently tied for second in the Pacific Division in points (19-15-7, 45 points), but fifth by point percentage (.549).
Anaheim expects to get back one of its two NHL All-Stars tonight as netminder John Gibson has practiced each of the past two days.
Gibson will make his third All-Star appearance
and currently ranks sixth among NHL netminders in saves (794) and minutes played (1635).
In his last four starts, Gibson has a 2.25 GAA and .938 SV%. Anaheim went 1-4-0 in his absence, despite strong performances by Anthony Stolarz and Lukas Dostal.
The Ducks other
newly-named All-Star
, Troy Terry, remains in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, alongside Simon Benoit, Cam Fowler, Anthony Stolarz, Josh Manson and two Ducks coaches.
Terry was awarded the last spot on the Pacific Division's All-Star roster as the winner of the NHL's Last Men In fan vote. The 24-year-old winger has 22-14=36 points in 38 games this season and has already set career highs in scoring, goals and assists.