New Jersey @ Anaheim preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 18, 2019 ) Anaheim 1, New Jersey 3

The Anaheim Ducks are well out of contention for a playoff slot but they have acquitted themselves well against some of the league's top teams over the past four games. Anaheim is seeking its first three-game winning streak since opening the season with three straight victories when they wrap up a six-game homestand against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.

After absorbing one-goal losses to Colorado and Vegas, the Ducks bounced back by squeezing out narrow victories over two of the league's most dangerous offensive clubs in Edmonton and Pittsburgh. "I thought we played with a little snarl and when we do that, we play well," coach Dallas Eakins told reporters after short-handed Anaheim's 3-2 victory over the Penguins on Friday night. The Ducks have won five in a row at home against the Devils, who dropped their second straight overtime decision in a 2-1 defeat at Los Angeles on Saturday. Still, New Jersey owns a five-game point streak and has earned points in 13 of 16 (8-3-5) entering the fourth stop of a five-game road trip.

TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: MSG Plus, Prime Ticket

ABOUT THE DEVILS (25-27-12): Third-year forward Jesper Bratt has come alive at the offensive end, scoring in four of the past five games to boost his career-high goal total to 15. Rookie Nikita Gusev set up Bratt's tally on Saturday with a slick move to give him two goals and six assists during a season high-tying five-game point streak. With Mackenzie Blackwood manning the net Saturday, Cory Schneider is expected to get his third start of the road trip Sunday, trying to improve upon his 6-4-2 record and 2.66 goals-against average versus Anaheim.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (26-30-8): Anaheim has won the past two despite illness going through the locker room and a makeshift lineup featuring five new players following the trade deadline. “The new guys and the guys who are still here, it seems like everybody has stepped up the last two games," goaltender John Gibson told reporters."It’s really encouraging. I’m really proud of everybody.” Sonny Milano, acquired from Columbus, has scored twice and collected an assist in his first two games while newcomer Danton Heinen ended a 16-game goal drought Friday.

OVERTIME

1. Anaheim is 2-for-16 on the power play over the past six games.

2. Devils F Kyle Palmieri scored against Anaheim earlier this season, his fourth goal in nine career meetings.

3. Ducks D Hampus Lindholm (upper body) sat out Friday, leaving the team without its top three blue-liners.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Devils 2