Buffalo Sabres Opponent Outlook: Anaheim Ducks

As we head into the 2015-2016 season, the Buffalo Sabres are prepared for a tough test against many worthy opponents this season. The first of those – that we’ll look at today – are the Anaheim Ducks, of the Western Conference’s Pacific Division.

Last season, the Ducks finished first in their division. Their 51-24-7 record was not only enough to land a playoff spot, but enough to give them the top spot in the conference overall, tied in points with the St. Louis Blues.

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The Ducks had 109 points and a plus-10 goal differential; they finished the year 26-12-3 at home and 25-12-4 on the road. They even made it all the way to the conference finals before being outsted in seven games by the eventual-Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks.

In the offseason, the Ducks have added Chris Stewart, Brian McGrattan, Harry Zolnierczyk and Shawn Horcoff, to name a few. They also added former Sabres netminder Matt Hackett and fellow goaltender Anton Khodobin; among players they lost were Francois Beauchemin and Jason LaBarbera.

One of the other big additions to the Ducks this coming season: Carl Hagelin, who was acquired via trade on June 27 and then signed as a restricted free agent. Last season, he registered 35 points – half of which were goals – in 82 games for the New York Rangers.

Last season, the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks faced off twice.

The first game, a Columbus Day matinee, saw the Sabres fall to the Ducks by a score of 5-1. Tyler Ennis scored the lone goal, assisted by Matt Moulson and Drew Stafford. Corey Perry, William Karlsson (2), Matt Beleskey and Ryan Kesler all scored for the Ducks. Kesler and Karlsson each registered six shots on goal, while Perry registered four.

Mike Weber led the Sabres with seven penalty minutes and five hits that night. The Sabres as a whole registered just 12 shots on net – overall, not a bright spot for the struggling team.

The teams then faced off again just nine days this later, this time in Anaheim. The Sabres fell 4-1, and once again, Ennis had the lone goal. Perry had a hat trick, while Kesler tapped in Anaheim’s other goal.

Josh Gorges led the Sabres with six blocks, while Weber led with six hits. Ennis and Stewart each put up four shots on goal.

This season, the Ducks visit Buffalo on December 17, before the Sabres visit Anaheim on February 24. Anaheim will look to continue its ways of last year, and with the addition of Hagelin and other contributors, they should be on a solid path. Meanwhile, the Sabres have the additions of guys like Reinhart (who should play the full season), Eichel, O’Reilly, Kane, etc. that will provide plenty of help to make the team more competitive along the way.

Next: Sabres' First Forward Line

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