On December 5, the Washington Capitals will face off against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center, located in Anaheim, California. The game is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. and can be watched on MNMT, with radio coverage on 106.7 THE FAN and the Caps Radio Network.
Capitals and Ducks Clash in Anaheim
Two leaders in the NHL’s divisions will meet as the Capitals (17-9-2) aim for a clean sweep of their four-game road trip. The Ducks (16-10-1) seek redemption after suffering a defeat on home ice against the Utah Mammoth.
Recent Performances
Washington enters this game on a six-game winning streak, seeking to extend this run. In their last game, the Capitals achieved a commanding 7-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Notable performances included:
- Ryan Leonard: 2 goals, 2 assists
- Alex Ovechkin: 2 goals
- Matt Roy: 3 primary assists
- Brandon Duhaime: 1 shorthanded goal and 1 assist
- Trevor van Riemsdyk: 2 assists
Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 23 saves, securing his fourth consecutive win.
Rookie Showdown
This matchup features two of the league’s top rookie scorers. Ryan Leonard currently has 18 points in 28 games, placing him third among NHL rookie forwards. His performance on Wednesday highlighted his remarkable development: he scored four points in under 14 minutes of ice time.
Leonard’s achievements include:
- First Capitals player aged 20 or younger to record a four-point game since Jaroslav Svejkovsky in 2003.
- Leads all rookie forwards with 1.1 primary assists per 60 minutes.
- Second in shots on net among rookies with 60 attempts.
Joining Leonard in the scoring race is Anaheim’s Bennett Senecke, who has 20 points in his rookie campaign.
Ducks’ Current Roster Challenges
The Ducks are navigating challenging circumstances with injuries to their top two goaltenders, Lukas Dostal and Petr Mrazek. Veteran goalie Ville Husso has stepped in, having joined the Ducks through a trade. Husso has started three of the last four games for Anaheim.
Despite their recent struggles, the Ducks remain atop the Pacific Division, with a tight race among the leading teams.
Looking Ahead
As the Capitals and Ducks prepare for this highly anticipated clash, both teams look to solidify their standings in the league. The Capitals aim to continue their winning momentum, while the Ducks strive to rebound from recent setbacks.
This battle promises excitement and high stakes as teams jockey for position in the competitive NHL landscape.
