Anaheim Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings Picks and Predictions November 15th 2024

Red Wings Begin West Coast Leg of Trip vs. Slumping Ducks

The Detroit Red Wings (8-6-1) will look to build on their momentum as they open the West Coast portion of their road trip against the Anaheim Ducks (6-8-1) on Friday night. Both teams are coming off tightly contested games on Wednesday, with the Red Wings securing a 3-2 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ducks falling 3-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Red Wings Riding Defensive Resilience

Detroit’s win in Pittsburgh was fueled by a strong defensive performance, holding the Penguins’ star duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to just one point combined. Cam Talbot played a pivotal role in net, making 31 saves, including two game-saving stops on Malkin during overtime. The victory marked Talbot’s 250th career win, a milestone he celebrated with a stellar outing.

“Sidney and Malkin looked like they were going to take the game over,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “I give our guys credit. Everyone in the lineup had to contribute defensively on the road, and we did it.”

Detroit also ended a five-period scoring drought in the second period when Jonatan Berggren tallied his first goal of the season. Simon Edvinsson then sealed the win 1:30 into overtime with his first goal of the year.

Lucas Raymond remains the engine of Detroit’s offense, leading the team with 14 points (one goal, 13 assists), while captain Dylan Larkin has a team-high nine goals.

Ducks’ Struggles Continue Amid Injury Concerns

The Ducks have lost five of their last six games, including Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat against the Golden Knights. Brock McGinn and Frank Vatrano scored Anaheim’s goals, with Vatrano’s coming with just 14 seconds left in the game to cut the deficit to one.

Despite the loss, Ducks head coach Greg Cronin was encouraged by improvements in Anaheim’s defensive zone play, though turnovers remained an issue.

“A lot of (Vegas’ chances) came off our sticks,” Cronin noted. “Faulty passes and poor decisions hurt us, but I can’t fault the effort. The guys worked hard and put us in a position to tie the game late.”

Anaheim is also battling injuries to key players. Veteran defenseman Cam Fowler and forwards Robby Fabbri and Mason McTavish were unavailable Wednesday. Fowler and Fabbri were placed on injured reserve, while McTavish missed his second consecutive game with an upper-body injury.

Troy Terry leads Anaheim with 11 points (five goals, six assists), tied with Leo Carlsson for the team lead in goals. The Ducks’ offense will need a spark as they face a disciplined Red Wings defense.

Key Matchups and What to Watch

Goaltending Duel:
Cam Talbot is in excellent form, and Anaheim’s Lukas Dostal is coming off a 36-save performance. Both netminders will be pivotal in what could be another close, low-scoring game.

Detroit’s Defensive Execution:
The Red Wings effectively neutralized elite scorers in their win over Pittsburgh. Replicating that effort against Anaheim’s Troy Terry and Leo Carlsson will be crucial.

Injury Impact on Anaheim:
With Fowler, Fabbri, and McTavish sidelined, the Ducks face an uphill battle against a Red Wings team gaining confidence.

Lucas Raymond’s Playmaking:
Raymond’s ability to create scoring opportunities will be vital for Detroit. His 13 assists highlight his vision and chemistry with teammates like Larkin.

Ducks’ Energy and Turnover Battle:
Anaheim’s effort has been commendable, but their turnovers have been costly. Cleaning up their puck management could be the difference in staying competitive.

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Outlook

The Red Wings enter this matchup with momentum and a clear path to capitalize on Anaheim’s recent struggles and injury concerns. Meanwhile, the Ducks aim to rediscover their form and end their skid at home. Expect a tightly contested game with both teams leaning heavily on their goaltenders and star players.

With Detroit looking to solidify their position in the standings and Anaheim searching for answers, Friday’s clash promises intrigue as the Red Wings begin their West Coast journey.