The Anaheim Ducks look to snap a two-game losing streak on Tuesday night as they take on the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center in Washington D.C., the fifth game of a seven-game road trip. Anaheim has hit a slump of late, at just 1-2-1 to start their road trip and 1-4-1 over their last seven games.
The Ducks (5-5-1) have scored a total of one goal in their last two contests. "We seem to be over-passing and putting the puck in a different area," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said on Monday, "where it's less of an angle or less of an opportunity to score."
Anaheim made one roster move on Monday, recalling center Nick Bonino from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, and reassigned Jean-Francois Jacques to Syracuse. Earl Sleek at Battle of California approved the move:
El Niño has been recalled from Syracuse, and I'm actually pretty excited about this. Sure, Nick Bonino has played a total of 39 games for the Ducks in his career and only has 1 goal and 1 assist to show for it, but does a lot away from the puck that helps bolster Anaheim's forward lines. The Ducks have an impressive 22-10-7 record when Bonino dresses (.654 win%, including both of last year's playoff wins), and I don't think it's totally a fluke.
The Ducks and Capitals split two games last season, with each club winning on the road. This is the only meeting between the two clubs this season. The Capitals (7-2-0) are undefeated in five home contests this season.
Tuesday's 4:30 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Versus. For more Ducks news and information, be sure to read Anaheim Calling.