The battle for the Pacific Division is reaching a fever pitch, but the Anaheim Ducks find themselves in a sudden tailspin at the worst possible time. As they prepare to host the Calgary Flames at the Honda Center this Saturday, the Ducks are desperate to stop a slide that has seen them drop three consecutive games and put their division lead in jeopardy.
Slumping at the Finish Line: The Ducks' Recent Struggles
Heading into this Anaheim Ducks vs Calgary Flames matchup, Anaheim (41-30-5) is looking to rediscover the form that propelled them to the top of the Pacific Division for much of the season. The current three-game losing streak has been characterized by uncharacteristic defensive lapses. Most recently, the Ducks suffered a 6-2 blowout loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday night, a game in which their save percentage plummeted to a disappointing 79%.
Prior to the loss against St. Louis, Anaheim dropped a heartbreaker to the San Jose Sharks (4-3) and a high-scoring affair against the Toronto Maple Leafs (5-4). With 87 points, the Ducks remain tied with the Edmonton Oilers for the division lead, but they can no longer afford to leave points on the table if they hope to secure home-ice advantage for the postseason.
Head-to-Head Dominance: Can Anaheim Sweep the Season Series?
If there is a silver lining for Anaheim, it is their performance against Calgary this season. The Ducks have won all three previous meetings, though each contest has been decided by the narrowest of margins. Their history this year includes:
- January 25: A 4-3 overtime victory fueled by a Beckett Sennecke hat trick.
- March 1: A 3-2 shootout win at home.
- March 26: A 3-2 overtime thriller in Calgary.
The Ducks have shown a knack for finding ways to win against the Flames in high-pressure moments, a trend they hope will continue as they look to snap their current skid.
Flames Looking to Play Spoiler Amidst Injuries
The Calgary Flames (31-36-8) arrive in Anaheim also struggling to find consistency. Calgary has lost three of their last four games, including a demoralizing 9-2 defeat at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche and a 6-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Currently sitting 7th in the Pacific Division with 70 points, the Flames are essentially playing for pride and a chance to play spoiler against their division rivals.
Calgary’s lineup has been decimated by injuries to key veterans. Forward Jonathan Huberdeau and defenseman Joel Hanley are both out for the remainder of the season. In their absence, the Flames have relied heavily on captain Mikael Backlund, who leads the team with 41 points, and young forward Matt Coronato, who has been a bright spot with 39 points and a recent five-game scoring streak.
Key Matchups and Goaltending Outlook
The goaltending battle will be a major factor in this Anaheim Ducks vs Calgary Flames clash. Lukas Dostal (29-18-3) is expected to be back in the crease for Anaheim after a rough outing against the Blues. On the other side, the Flames are likely to turn to Devin Cooley, who has posted a solid .912 save percentage this season despite the team's overall struggles.
Anaheim’s offense will need a boost from Leo Carlsson (62 points) and rookie standout Beckett Sennecke (57 points), especially with top scorer Cutter Gauthier listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Gauthier’s 38 goals have been the engine of the Ducks' attack, and his potential absence leaves a significant void in the top six.
With only a handful of games remaining in the regular season, the stakes couldn't be higher for the Ducks. A win against the Flames would not only snap their losing streak but also provide the necessary momentum to lock down the Pacific Division crown.
Sources & Original Reporting
