Ducks Look to Beat Winless Sharks a Second Time

The Anaheim Ducks will aim to secure their second victory over the San Jose Sharks this season when they host their struggling division rivals on Tuesday night. The Ducks opened their season with a 2-0 win against the Sharks on October 12, thanks to goals from Isac Lundestrom and Trevor Zegras, while goaltender Lukas Dostal posted a 30-save shutout.

However, Anaheim’s momentum has since faltered. The Ducks have won just one of their last four games and are currently on a two-game losing streak. They lost 4-3 in overtime against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, followed by a 4-1 defeat to the rival Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. Ryan Strome scored the Ducks’ lone goal against the Kings, and Dostal made 32 saves in a losing effort.

Struggles on Offense and Special Teams

The Ducks have faced difficulties generating offense and maintaining puck control, as evidenced by being outshot 85-33 in their last two games. Their power play has also been a glaring issue, going 0-for-17 through the first five games of the season.

Head coach Greg Cronin was critical of his team’s recent performances, saying, “The last two games we’ve just been on cruise control. We’re just watching the game. They’ve got to take ownership.”

Despite the struggles, Troy Terry has been a bright spot for Anaheim, leading the team with four points (three goals, one assist) in five games. Strome and Leo Carlsson have also contributed with two goals and one assist each.

In goal, Lukas Dostal has been solid, posting a 2-1-1 record with a .930 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average (GAA) in four starts. Dostal has performed well in limited action against the Sharks, holding a .926 save percentage and a 2.01 GAA in two career games versus San Jose.

Sharks’ Struggles Continue Without Celebrini

The San Jose Sharks travel to Anaheim still searching for their first win of the season. They enter Tuesday’s game with an 0-4-2 record, extending their winless streak to nine games dating back to last season. The Sharks’ most recent victory came on April 11 in Seattle.

Adding to San Jose’s challenges is the absence of rookie forward Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Sharks’ general manager Mike Grier announced that Celebrini will be out for at least two weeks due to a lower-body injury. The 18-year-old showed promise with a goal and an assist in his NHL debut but hasn’t played since the season opener on October 10.

San Jose is coming off a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. William Eklund scored the Sharks’ only goal, while goaltender Vitek Vanecek made 18 saves. Despite their poor record, head coach Ryan Warsofsky remains optimistic: “We’ve got to find a way to win a hockey game. We’ve done some really good things in probably four of our six games.”

Vanecek has struggled this season, going 0-3-0 in four appearances with an .884 save percentage and a 3.14 GAA. However, he has played well against the Ducks in the past, with a 1-1-1 record and a .935 save percentage in three career games against Anaheim.

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Key Players to Watch

• Troy Terry (Ducks): The leading scorer for Anaheim will look to continue his strong start to the season and help his team snap their two-game skid.
• Lukas Dostal (Ducks): Dostal has been one of the few bright spots for Anaheim, and his solid play will be crucial as the Ducks try to capitalize on a winless Sharks team.
• Tyler Toffoli (Sharks): Toffoli leads the Sharks with four goals this season and will be looking to spark San Jose’s struggling offense.

With the Ducks seeking a rebound and the Sharks desperate for their first victory of the season, Tuesday’s game should offer plenty of drama as both teams try to change their early-season fortunes.