Anaheim, CA (My Sportsbook) - The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim will hope to end a three-game losing streak when they continue a four-game homestand at the Pond Friday against the
Vancouver Canucks.
After winning their first game under new coach Mike Babcock, the Ducks have dropped three straight, including a 4-2 setback to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.
Dan Bylsma and Steve Rucchin recorded the two goals while Keith Carney had a pair of assists in the loss for Anaheim, which was 0-for-7 on the power play.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 34 saves, but absorbed his third straight loss.
Adam Oates was held off the scoresheet and needs 11 assists to tie John Bucyk (1,369) for 16th place on the all-time assists list. Paul Kariya is also 11 points shy for 600 in his career.
The Vancouver Canucks also enter Friday's tilt struggling and have dropped two straight after two dominant wins to start the season.
After shutting out Calgary to start the season and topping the San Jose Sharks in their second game, the Canucks fell to the Flames for their first loss and were routed by the Boston Bruins, 6-3, on Wednesday.
Harold Druken, Todd Bertuzzi and Daniel Sedin each scored for Vancouver, which led 3-2 early in the second before allowing four unanswered tallies to the Bruins.
Dan Cloutier made 24 saves in the loss for Vancouver, which was 1-for-3 on the power play. The Canucks killed off all five Bruins penalties and have not allowed a goal with the extra skater in 21 chances this season.
With the team playing back-to-back games Peter Skudra could get his first start of the season between the pipes. Last year Skudra was 10-8-2 with a 2.42 goals-against-average.
Sami Salo will be playing in his 200th game tonight.
Following a three-game winless skid against the Ducks, Vancouver has reeled off three straight wins in the series, outscoring Anaheim 8-3 in the process.
Vancouver is 7-2-4 in the last 13 meetings and 9-3-6 in the last 18. In 43 career meetings the Canucks have a record of 24 wins, 12 losses and seven ties versus Anaheim.
