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Ducks Aim for Season Sweep vs. Sharks in Final Meeting
Two of the NHL’s youngest teams, the Anaheim Ducks (32-33-8, 72 points) and San Jose Sharks (20-44-9, 49 points), meet for the final time this season on Tuesday night in Anaheim.
The Ducks have already won both previous matchups this season—a 2-0 victory on Oct. 12 in San Jose and a 3-1 win at home on Oct. 22. A win Tuesday would complete a season sweep of their division rivals and keep Anaheim’s slim Western Conference Wild Card hopes alive.
For the Sharks, this game is about youth development as they continue to rebuild, led by rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini.
“With this young group, we are going to go through learning stretches,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “Setting the foundation of how to win hockey games in the future has been the pressing need.”
Ducks Show Growth Despite Playoff Hurdles
Anaheim may not be in a playoff position, but the team has made significant strides from last season. After losing a franchise-record 50 games last year, the Ducks are on pace for a 20-point improvement.
They enter Tuesday’s game after a hard-fought 3-2 loss to Toronto, a game where they erased a two-goal deficit before falling late.
Key Players for Anaheim
- Leo Carlsson – Scored in the loss to Toronto, showcasing his continued development.
- Sam Colangelo – Tied the game in the third period, proving his potential in big moments.
- Trevor Zegras & Cutter Gauthier – Contributed assists, representing the young core of the team.
- Lukas Dostal – Made 20 saves against the Maple Leafs and remains a key figure in net.
Coach Greg Cronin emphasized that attention to detail will be crucial against San Jose.
Injury Watch: Will Troy Terry Play?
Anaheim could be without its leading scorer, Troy Terry, who left Sunday’s game after a collision with teammate Frank Vatrano. His status remains uncertain heading into Tuesday’s contest.
Get Expert NHL Picks Today! – Stay ahead with the latest game predictions.
Sharks’ Youth Movement Focuses on Future
The Sharks have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but optimism remains thanks to their young core, led by 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini.
Despite their 8-1 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, Celebrini continues to make a strong case for the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year).
Macklin Celebrini’s Rookie Season (So Far)
21 Goals
53 Points in 61 Games
Reliable Two-Way Play
Alongside former first-round picks Will Smith and William Eklund, Celebrini represents the future of the Sharks franchise. However, as Sunday’s loss showed, there is still a long road ahead.
Game Information
Date: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Location: Honda Center – Anaheim, CA
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN+, Bally Sports West, NBC Sports California
Final Thoughts
This matchup isn’t about the 2024 playoffs, but rather the future of the Pacific Division. Both teams have young stars ready to shine, and while the Ducks aim for a season sweep, the Sharks are looking for signs of progress.
Can Anaheim’s rising core take another step forward, or will Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks pull off the upset?
