ANAHEIM –– The wheels were up and the wings were out as the Ducks got off the ground for their second of three five-game road trips this season, and this could easily be the most eventful of the trio.
They’ll travel to Pittsburgh, where they’ll clash with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and the Penguins. They’ll wrap up the journey in Columbus against Zach Werenski’s Blue Jackets.
In between, they’ll have a sojourn in the Big Apple for matches against the Devils, Islanders and, most notably, the Rangers. With four one-time Rangers on the roster, it’ll be a homecoming of sorts, particularly for Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba.
Trouba, the former Rangers captain, was traded to the Ducks just over a year ago. Kreider, whose name adorns many Blue Shirts franchise leaderboards, was dealt west over the summer. Both players will make their return to Madison Square Garden for the first time on Dec. 15, the fourth game of the trip.
“We’ll be in the city for a few days, I’m sure they’ll reminisce a little bit with some of their old friends,” Coach Joel Quenneville said. “When it gets to the be-back date, I’m sure it’s gonna be really special for them. The Beatles will be getting back to New York City when they get there.”
Quenneville said he was certain that Trouba and Kreider had the game circled on their calendars, though Kreider poked fun at the gravitas surrounding his and Trouba’s visit.
“You mean the Pittsburgh-Islanders-Devils-Rangers-Columbus trip? You want to talk about which game?” Kreider asked with a smile, adding that the long trip would give an opportunity to break out more attire suitable for cold weather.
Kreider and Trouba’s presences as 30-something veterans have boosted the Ducks this year –– Kreider had two assists and a de facto third helper on Sunday against Chicago thanks to his defensive pressure that led to Trouba’s technically unassisted goal –– but their youth brigade kept on marauding as well.
Leo Carlsson potted two goals Sunday in what Quenneville called “a special game” for the 20-year-old Swede. Beckett Sennecke, 19, had a heady assist and a dazzling goal. They each have 12 points in their last 11 games, as two once-questioned lottery picks have left little doubt about their near and long-term ability.
“It’s perfect,” said Carlsson of being joined by another creative young attacker. “He’s growing into the game for sure, and getting stronger. He’s just so dangerous and so unpredictable with the puck. He’s going to be insane in a few years’ time.”
The Ducks beat both teams in front of them at the conclusion of their homestand, two road-weary clubs who nevertheless had enjoyed success this season. They cooled off the scorching Washington Capitals in Friday’s shootout and annihilated the Blackhawks on Sunday to head off on a high note.
“You obviously want to go on the road with a win, and the last two games have been really good for us,” veteran winger Alex Killorn said. “To kind of build some momentum at home here, it’s going to be a really tough road trip, so that’s great.”
The Caps’ archrivals, the Penguins, have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons. But Crosby and Malkin, who predictably are 1-2 in scoring on the squad, and a more youthful than usual supporting cast have surprised by keeping pace in the Metropolitan Division.
The Islanders and Devils have found themselves in that same crowded pack, but were moving in different directions. The Isles had won three straight before stumbling Sunday against the defending champion Florida Panthers, while New Jersey dropped five straight decisions. In their three most recent losses, they mustered a solitary goal across 180 minutes of action.
The Rangers have gone 5-1-2 during a challenging part of their schedule to gain traction, while Columbus had a rollercoaster stint. They were shut out by Washington Sunday after playing in two high-octane affairs that ended in a 6-5 win over Detroit and a 7-6 loss to Florida.
