Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks: Preview, Key Players & Injury Report

Anaheim Ducks Face Off Against San Jose Sharks in Pacific Division Clash

The Anaheim Ducks (41-28-5), battling for position in the Pacific Division, are set to take on the San Jose Sharks (34-31-7) in San Jose, California on Wednesday at 9 p.m. EDT. This matchup promises an exciting contest between two teams looking to solidify their standings as the NHL season winds down.

Ducks Look to Bounce Back After Overtime Loss

Anaheim enters the game following a hard-fought 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A standout performance from Leo Carlsson, who netted two goals, wasn’t enough to secure the win. The Ducks will be aiming to translate that offensive energy into a victory against the Sharks. They currently hold a 14-8-0 record within the Pacific Division, placing them fifth in NHL play with an average of 10.2 penalty minutes per game.

Sharks Aim to Continue Scoring Momentum

The San Jose Sharks have a 34-31-7 overall record, with a 9-10-3 record specifically against Pacific Division opponents. The Sharks have demonstrated a knack for scoring, boasting a 31-11-3 record in games where they score three or more goals. Their offensive capabilities will be a key factor in this upcoming game.

Key Players to Watch

San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini leads the Sharks with an impressive 38 goals and 63 assists. Alexander Wennberg has been heating up, contributing three goals and five assists in his last ten games.
Anaheim Ducks: Cutter Gauthier is a force to be reckoned with, having scored 38 goals and provided 27 assists. Mikael Granlund has also been on a scoring streak, with seven goals and one assist in his last ten appearances.

Recent Form

Over their last ten games:

Sharks: 4-5-1, averaging 2.8 goals, 5 assists, 3.4 penalties, and 10.1 penalty minutes per game, while conceding 3.6 goals.
Ducks: 5-3-2, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.9 assists, 5.3 penalties, and 15.1 penalty minutes per game, while conceding 3.2 goals.

Injury Report

Both teams are dealing with injuries that could impact the game:

Sharks: Ryan Reaves is out with a hand injury. John Klingberg and Ty Dellandrea are both day-to-day with lower-body injuries.
Ducks: Petr Mrazek is out for the season with a lower-body injury. Jansen Harkins, Cutter Gauthier, and Ross Johnston are all day-to-day with upper and lower-body injuries respectively.

This is the third meeting between these two teams this season, with the Sharks having won the previous encounter 5-4. Expect a competitive and physical game as both teams vie for a crucial win. For more in-depth NHL coverage, visit NHL.com.

This story was created using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar, as originally published by The Associated Press.