The Anaheim Ducks take their road surge into New York on Monday, Oct. 19, carrying a perfect 3-0 record away from home into a Ducks vs Rangers matchup that has gone their way lately. Anaheim has won its last three meetings with the Rangers, and in each of those victories it scored four or more goals.
That is why Beckett Sennecke is part of the focus. He led the Ducks with five goals, and three of those goals opened the scoring for Anaheim, a sign that he has been setting the tone early as the Ducks try to keep the run going. Cutter Gauthier has also been a threat against the Blueshirts, with five goals in his last three games versus New York and 4+ shots on goal in each of those meetings.
The setting is sharper because Anaheim arrives with a split personality. The Ducks have been perfect on the road, scoring four or more goals in all three of those wins, but they are also coming off back-to-back 4-2 home losses to Calgary and Boston. That contrast is what makes the trip to New York matter now: one version of the Ducks has traveled well, while the one at home has just stumbled.
New York has reasons to pay attention, too. Adam Fox has driven the Rangers with nine assists this season, has picked up a helper in seven of his last nine games and has six assists in his last eight head-to-head meetings with Anaheim. Alexis Lafreniere comes in with seven goals in his previous four games even after back-to-back games without a goal, so the home side still has finishing power if it can sustain the pace.
The numbers around the game point to a tight one. The Ducks were listed at +126, the Rangers at -152, and the total was 6.5. Anaheim is scheduled to face the Islanders on Tuesday, so this is the first stop in a quick turnaround, with the same road test now carrying more weight because the Ducks have already shown they can travel and score. Whether that road form survives another night against New York is the part that will decide how seriously to treat the streak.
