Game #62: Ducks vs. Blues Gameday Preview
Jan 9, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Cam Fowler (17) and Anaheim Ducks center Jansen Harkins (38) battle for the puck during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesIn what should be an emotional affair, the Ducks take on the St. Louis Blues on Friday night. This game marks Cam Fowler’s first time back at Honda Center after he was traded to the Blues on Dec. 14.
The Ducks are coming off a short, two-game road trip where they split results against the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. The Blues are coming off a 3-2 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.
“It was kind of a tough road trip,” Troy Terry said. “We had a big win in Edmonton (and) played well. In Vancouver, (we) played hard. Just kind of one of those games. Within our room, we know what makes us good. I think (there are) times we stray from that and try to go off the grid a little bit, guys kind of swinging around instead of just straight lines and being connected, especially against a team like St. Louis, they're fast and physical, and we kind of just need to try to play simple and then just get in their zone.”
Terry was not present when the Ducks played the Blues in St. Louis and honored Fowler with a pregame ceremony to commemorate playing 1,000 games in the NHL on Jan. 9. He was back home attending to his wife, Dani, for the birth of their second child, Theo. That means tonight will be the first time Terry plays against his longtime teammate and friend.
“A lot has changed over the years, and I haven't been shy in how much he and his family have meant to me and my family,” Terry said. “From taking me under his wing, letting me live at his house, just all-around. He meant a lot to me, meant a lot to the organization. I know these guys got to play against him already, but, for me, it's gonna be weird.
“He’s someone that is a close friend of mine and I've gotten very used to playing with him, so it's gonna be weird. But, I'm really happy for him. He's happy and he's playing great hockey, so it makes it a little better that it's a pretty meaningful game with the standings going on and that's where my focus is. But, it will definitely be a little weird seeing him on the other side.”
Mar 15, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers with right wing Troy Terry (19) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images“It’s going to be fun, emotional. Some nerves about the whole thing too,” Fowler said. “Overall, I think it’s going to be a fun experience for me, get back to a place I spent a lot of years in and see all my friends. Going back into Anaheim, I think there’s going to be a lot of emotions with everything, so I’m just going to try and take it all in and handle it the best I can.”
“He was huge for all of us young guys,” Jackson Lacombe said. “He was someone to look up to for us and someone who kind of took us under his wing. I mean, he was so important to the team for a long time. Just to be able to learn from him as a person and a player was special. He means a lot to us.”
Brian Dumoulin being traded to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday opened up a spot in the lineup for Olen Zellweger, who was a healthy scratch in the Ducks’ last five games. He’ll slot right into Dumoulin's spot and pair with Drew Helleson.
Oct 26, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Olen Zellweger (51) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers with defenseman Cam Fowler (4) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images“Zelly’s a pretty dynamic defenseman offensively and I think he's really worked defensively to strengthen his game,” head coach Greg Cronin said. “He’s a very focused, young player that I think has learned the balance of when to get involved offensively and when not to. I want to see him continue to strengthen that balance. His role model should be a Quinn Hughes-type of guy. He has the ability to do some of those dynamic things, so I'm excited to watch him.”
The Blues did not have a morning skate, but the expectation is that Joel Hofer will start with the Blues having a back-to-back against Anaheim and Los Angeles.
Ducks Projected Lines
Trevor Zegras - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Troy Terry
Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Sam Colangelo
Jansen Harkins - Isac Lundeström - Brett Leason
Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas
Pavel Mintyukov - Jacob Trouba
Olen Zellweger - Drew Helleson
Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)
Blues Projected Lines
Jake Neighbours - Robert Thomas - Pavel Buchnevich
Dylan Holloway - Brayden Schenn - Jordan Kyrou
Mathieu Joseph - Oskar Sundqvist - Zach Bolduc
Alexey Toropchenko - Radek Faksa - Nathan Walker
Cam Fowler - Nick Leddy
Philip Broberg - Justin Faulk
Ryan Suter - Tyler Tucker
Joel Hofer (projected)