The Hockey News’ Derek Lee previews the Ducks’ matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Tonight, the Ducks take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in their fourth game of a six-game homestand. It will be the Blue Jackets' first time playing the Ducks since the tragic deaths of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew this past summer.

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Anaheim is currently on a four-game losing streak. It started with an overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh and then three consecutive losses at home. Their most recent loss was a 5-2 defeat to the Minnesota Wild on Nov. 8. The Blue Jackets come into town after a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings last night in Los Angeles. This is the third team Anaheim will face in seven days that is playing their second game of a back-to-back (SEGABABA).

“They’re a big, heavy team," Ducks head coach Greg Cronin. "(Zach) Werenski on the backend is up into the play, (the rest of) their D are active (too). When they're on, they're on. They’re a heavy team, they get on top of you. (Sean) Monahan's a hell of a centerman. They've got good players. It’s going to be a good game.”

Offense has been difficult for the Ducks this season. They have 27 goals, which ranks dead last in the league. The Detroit Red Wings have the next lowest total with 34. Cronin has tinkered with the forward lines over the past several games to try and kickstart the offense.

"We haven't had a real third line that drives the team," Cronin said. "It hit me during the game (against Minnesota). If I put (Robby) Fabbri, (Brock) McGinn and (Isac) Lundeström together, they all go. They all can skate. They're fearless in different ways. Lundeström's not as physical a player as the other guys are, but he knows the game and they fed off each other."

Mason McTavish missed Saturday's practice due to "some tightness" and it is unknown if he will play tonight against the Blue Jackets. The case remains the same for Cam Fowler, who missed the game against the Wild with an upper-body injury.

If McTavish doesn't play, Brett Leason would draw in and center the fourth line. Jackson LaCombe drew back into the lineup last game due to Fowler's injury and would remain in the lineup if Fowler does not play again.

With a 5 p.m. puck drop time and the Blue Jackets coming off a back-to-back, neither team had a morning skate. Daniil Tarasov is expected to start for the Blue Jackets after Elvis Merzļikins was the starter last night against the Kings.

Cronin did not say who would be the starting goaltender against the Blue Jackets but did mention that Gibson––when asked about him after Saturday's practice––gives the team a sense of stability because of his experience.

"(Dostál) has been outstanding. But, there's just a different resumé for (Gibson)... If we defend better off the rush, I think both our goaltenders will have easier games."

Ducks Projected Lines

Frank Vatrano - Trevor Zegras - Troy Terry
Alex Killorn - Leo Carlsson - Ryan Strome
Brock McGinn - Isac Lundeström - Robby Fabbri
Ross Johnston - Brett Leason - Cutter Gauthier

Jackson LaCombe - Olen Zellweger
Pavel Mintyukov - Brian Dumoulin
Urho Vaakanainen - Radko Gudas

John Gibson (projected)

Blue Jackets Projected Lines

Yegor Chinakov - Sean Monahan - Kirill Marchenko
Cole Sillinger - Adam Fantilli - Mikael Pyyhtiä
Dmitri Voronkov - Justin Danforth - Mathieu Olivier
James van Riemsdyk - Sean Kuraly - Kevin Labanc

Zach Werenski - Ivan Provorov
Jake Christiansen - Damon Severson
Jack Johnson - David Jiříček

Daniil Tarasov (projected)

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