The Ducks kick off a crucial five-game eastern road trip tonight, taking on the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center.
With just 24 games remaining on Anaheim's regular season schedule, the five-game road trip - which will also make stops in Nashville, New York (x2) and New Jersey - could lay the foundation for the Ducks climbing back into the playoff picture.
"The small details in the game are massive right now," head coach Dallas Eakins said. "Our mindset has got to be that focus, each and every one of us, staff, all players, that we're here to win at all costs. And if we can have that, then you can pull out the points. All it's going to take is for one of us to be off and then it won't happen. We don't have the luxury of depth. That means we've all got to be on our game to play with these teams that we're going to see in five games in eight days. It's going to be a lot of hockey, real fast."
Anaheim currently sits fifth in the Pacific Division (27-22-9, 63 points), three points back of the Western Conference's final wild card spot, but will need to string together consecutive wins to overcome their opponents games in hand.
The Ducks are coming off a thrilling overtime win against the Sharks Sunday night at Honda Center, thanks to a well-executed set play off the extra period's opening faceoff, a stealthy change that led to a breakaway for Rickard Rakell.
Video: SJS@ANA: Rakell buries a breakaway for OT winner
"It was great. It was a tough game for us," Rakell said. "Even though we had a lot of scoring chances, I thought the puck didn't really bounce our way [Sunday], so it was nice it finally did. We've had some tough games against divisional teams lately, so it was a big one for us."
Adam Henrique, who won the faceoff and then slyly went to the bench to spring Rakell, added it was the type of win that should reinforce the Ducks' commitment to their structure of play.
"I think we did a good job of sticking to the game plan and not getting away from it, like maybe we have lately," Henrique said. "Getting away from the details of the game then gets you into more trouble. I thought we did a good job of sticking with it, battling. We were getting shots, outshooting, getting opportunities. It was just a matter of finally taking extra time to get it."
The game-winning heroics capped a terrific homestand for Rakell, who has points in three straight games (2-1=3) and scored the clinching goals in both victories over San Jose.
"Ricky is one of those guys who is all working on his game," head coach Dallas Eakins said. "He's on the ice non-stop. He wants to have an effect on that scoresheet in a positive way."
With his goal Sunday, Rakell passed Steve Rucchin for fifth-most in franchise history (154).
The Ducks return to United Center tonight for the second time this season, looking for a better result than the 3-0 setback suffered in January. Making his second career start, Lukas Dostal stopped 33-of-35 shots, but the Ducks could not get anything past veteran netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, who made 38 saves for his 70th career shutout.
Anaheim could get some welcome additions back into its lineup tonight as the club returned Dostal to AHL San Diego on Monday, seemingly indicating good health for All-Star netminder John Gibson. Captain Ryan Getzlaf also missed Sunday's game with a lower-body injury, but was expected to join the Ducks on the road trip.
The Blackhawks host Anaheim tonight to conclude a brief two-game homestand, following a 6-3 loss to the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. Chicago led by a goal after the first period, but a six-goal outburst by the Bolts in just 21 minutes of game action - including three goals just 32 seconds apart early in the third period - torpedoed any chance of an upset win for the home side.
Chicago is currently seventh in the Central Division (20-29-8, 48 points), 18 points out of a playoff spot, and will likely miss the postseason for the fourth time in five years after making nine consecutive playoff appearances.
The Ducks and Blackhawks will conclude their three -game season series on March 23 at Honda Center.
Preview: Ducks Open Five-Game Road Trip Tonight in Chicago - NHL.com
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