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The Anaheim Ducks (39-24-13) will try to make their Pacific Division playoff hopes more secure Tuesday night as they visit the future-focused Vancouver Canucks (27-40-9). In other words, the Ducks will be trying to ensure that they do not become lackadaisical and allow the Canucks to play a part in spoiling their postseason aspirations.
In theory, the Ducks should not be overly worried. They have won five of their past six games.
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"We're sticking with it," Ducks forward Adam Henrique told The Orange County Register in reference to the team's work ethic. "It's not always pretty but good teams find ways to get points and get wins. Right now, that's all that really matters."
He hopes the Ducks defense will continue its trend of providing offense. In their last game, defenseman Hampus Lindholm scored 1:21 into overtime to help the Ducks erase two third-period deficits to beat the Oilers 5-4 in Edmonton.
"As soon as our D start moving pucks, we help our forwards out a lot and I think that creates a lot of offense for us and that's something we have to keep doing more," Henrique told reporters.
The Ducks will also likely lean heavily on their strong goaltending. Starter John Gibson has posted five wins in his last six games and reached the 30-victory plateau Sunday. In case coach Randy Carlyle wants to give Gibson a rest, he will be comfortable with former Canuck Ryan Miller between the pipes.
The Ducks hope to end a strong road trip with a win over the woeful Canucks, who earned only their second win in the past 10 games when they beat the Stars by a convincing 4-1 count in Dallas on Sunday.
But the Canucks and their fans will likely be thinking more about the future and their fans after highly touted prospect Adam Gaudette signed a three-year National Hockey League entry contract with the club Monday following the completion of his college season with the Northeastern Huskies.
"Adam has had a remarkable season and college career playing at Northeastern," said Canucks general manager Jim Benning in a release. "He's a very talented player and has shown an ability to score, make plays and contribute in all situations at the collegiate level. We're excited to have him join our team and continue his development as a professional."
