Dallas (4-6-2) at Anaheim (9-5-1), 10:00 pm EDT
ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Anaheim Ducks are well aware
that when Ryan Getzlaf plays well, the team succeeds.
After a dismal start, Getzlaf looks to extend his points streak
to nine games when the hot-handed Ducks host the Dallas Stars on
Friday.
Getzlaf led the Ducks with a career-high 82 points in 2007-08,
but was limited to one assist through the first six contests of
this season. He has since exploded for six goals and 11 assists
during his current eight-game point streak.
Similarly, Anaheim struggled in the early going, notching one
win in its first six games. However, the team has thrived since
Getzlaf's outburst and is seeking their ninth win in 10 games
Friday.
Getzlaf had two goals and an assist to help the Ducks to their
latest success, a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on
Wednesday.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere will return in goal after being rested in
favor of backup Jonas Hiller against the Blues.
In his last outing, Giguere made 35 saves en route to a 1-0
overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. He is
6-0-0 with a 2.69 goals-against average over his last seven
games.
Dallas has yet to solve its problems - the team has dropped
three of four and their usually reliable defense has been
missing in action all season.
They have yielded a Western Conference-high 50 goals and
goaltender Marty Turco has been uncharacteristically dreadful.
Owner of a 2.20 career GAA, Turco is last in the league in that
category this year at 4.34. The former All-Star went 4-2-1 with
a 1.85 GAA in seven games against the Ducks last season.