Detailed notes on Friday's game between the Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings

The Anaheim Ducks wrapped up their six-game home stand on Friday when they hosted the Detroit Red Wings, who began their three-game California swing.

Game #16: Ducks vs. Red Wings Gameday Preview

Just before the game, the Ducks announced forward Robby Fabbri underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and will miss the next 6-8 weeks.

They also announced defenseman Cam Fowler would miss the next 2-4 weeks, Mason McTavish is still day-to-day, and Urho Vaakanainen will be evaluated this evening—all three sustained upper-body injuries.

Ducks head coach Greg Cronin kept forward lines the same as the previous two games but shuffled a bit when the team desperately needed goals.

Drew Helleson made his season debut in this game after he was recalled from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL. He slotted in next to fellow Boston College alumni Brian Dumoulin. 

John Gibson got the start for the Ducks in this game, his second of the season. He stopped 21 of the 25 shots he faced in this game. Three power play goals allowed (one on a 5v3) and a near-breakaway goal from Lucas Raymond were the four he gave up. There isn't a lot he could have done to stop any of those.

Ducks vs Red Wings Pre-Game Stat Pack

Alex Lyon started the game between the pipes for the Wings, where he stopped 23 of 28 shots.

Here are my notes from this game:

Cutter Gauthier: Gauthier scored his first career goal in this game. It wasn't a highlight reel snipe, but he displayed some of his "B-game" traits that made him an effective player when pucks weren't finding the back of the net. 

His forechecking and puck protection skills have improved dramatically since the start of the season as he's become more comfortable against NHL competition.

Breakout: Early in the game, the Ducks had a tough time connecting first passes cleanly out of their zone when they'd retrieve loose pucks below the goal line.

Rather than continuously forcing pucks up the strong side wall and into countless disruptive sticks and shin pads, outlets started waiting a beat to either open a lane to the supporting center or weak side defenseman behind him to start rushes the other way.

Drew Helleson: Helleson struggled to move pucks cleanly up ice early in the game, but adjusted efficiently and effectively. Defensively, he fit the Ducks' system seamlessly, remaining diligent to the inside of his assignments and seldom lost a board or corner battle.

Power Play: Clean entries allowed for elongated time in the offensive zone for the Ducks power play in this game. They elected to move pucks through the top of the umbrella rather than on the flank and goal line like they had early in the season.

Olen Zellweger embodied the term "power play quarterback" in an age where that term is misused. He controlled and facilitated from the top of the zone while drawing killers out of position and moving pucks quickly to his flank options.

The Ducks will head on the road for a two-game road trip starting on Monday in Dallas, when they'll take on the Stars.

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