Anaheim Ducks: Behind Enemy Lines
By Cory Buck
Today’s Behind Enemy Lines segment takes a look at the Anaheim Ducks, who return to Buffalo where they had a nice night last year in routing the Sabres with five straight goals at First Niagara Center. The team won 6-3 thanks to three points from Ryan Getzlaf and two goals from Corey Perry and Emerson Etem. The Ducks are looking to have more of the same when they visit the Sabres for a Columbus Day matinee.
More from Sabres News
- 3 biggest standouts at Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge
- 3 takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres final Prospects Challenge game
- Buffalo Sabres experiment with lesser-known talent in loss to Pens
- Buffalo Sabres 75 Bold Predictions for 2023-24: Prediction 51
- Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh: A quick look at the Penguins prospects
The Anaheim Ducks once again sport one of the most dangerous top lines in hockey, thanks to the Getzlaf-Perry duo that planned to start the season primarily with Dany Heatley on their wing, but lost Heatley to injury before the regular season began. Still, you could slide a broom around on skates and knock in 20 goals next to this tandem, which hasn’t missed a beat in totaling four points each in their first two games of the season.
In addition to Heatley, the Ducks will also be without F Kyle Palmieri, D Bryan Allen, and D Sheldon Souray.
The Sabres, who have appeared hapless once again on defense through two games, could pose the perfect opportunity for the Ducks to test their depth beyond that power duo, especially when you figure that second-line center Ryan Kesler has been as hot as his top line counterparts. Kesler also has four points in the team’s first two games, which gives the Ducks a great deal of flexibility in shaping their lines.
The Ducks acquired Kesler in the offseason from the Vancouver Canucks and are now hoping to sport a more complete top two scoring lines. It’s so far so good on that front, the depth of which could afford the Ducks a little breather against the moribund Sabres.
In addition to a lethal forward corps, the Ducks have one of the best defensive groups in the league, led by the criminally underrated Francois Beauchemin and youngsters Cam Fowler, Sami Vatanen, and Hampus Lindholm, all three of whom are under 25-years-old and averaging nearly 20 minutes per game.
If you’re hoping for a weakness in goal, hope again. The Ducks sport a top-notch goaltending duo that’s also on the young side. Frederik Andersen snagged the team’s first win of the season in a 3-2 road victory over the Detroit Red Wings, which gives him the start over promising youngster John Gibson, who gave up six goals in the team’s opener at the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Anaheim Ducks are one of the best teams in the NHL, just like they were last year when they soundly beat Buffalo in both of teams’ matchups. The Ducks don’t appear any worse this year, which should make life plenty difficult for the Sabres in their third game of the season.
More from Sabre Noise
- 3 biggest standouts at Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge
- 3 takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres final Prospects Challenge game
- Buffalo Sabres experiment with lesser-known talent in loss to Pens
- Buffalo Sabres 75 Bold Predictions for 2023-24: Prediction 51
- Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh: A quick look at the Penguins prospects