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Streaking Ducks host Blues

Oct 19, 2014 - 2:52 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The red-hot Anaheim Ducks shoot for a fifth consecutive victory when they welcome the St. Louis Blues for Sunday's battle at Honda Center.

Considering their recent success against the Blues, the Ducks have an excellent shot at keeping the hot streak going on Sunday. Anaheim won all three meetings last season to give the club victories in six of seven and eight of the last 11 encounters versus the Blues. St. Louis also has lost seven straight and 11 of its last 12 games in Anaheim.

The Ducks began 2014-15 with a loss in Pittsburgh but haven't tasted defeat since, winning the last three tilts of a four-game road trip before recording a victory in Friday's home opener against Minnesota.

Anaheim trailed the Wild 1-0 after 40 minutes on Friday, but Andrew Cogliano scored a short-handed goal to even things early in the third period and Corey Perry tallied the game-winner with 8:25 to play.

"I think the short-handed goal livened up the bench and the crowd," Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I think that sort of propelled us for the rest of the game."

Frederik Andersen stopped 27-of-28 shots for Anaheim and he expects to start again. Ducks goalie John Gibson hasn't played since getting the call in the season-opening loss at Pittsburgh.

The Ducks, who were 29-8-4 as the host last season, are playing the second part of a five-game homestand on Sunday. Anaheim will continue the stay in Orange County on Wednesday when the Buffalo Sabres come to town.

The Blues' offense turned in a superb effort the last time out, helping St. Louis record Saturday's 6-1 road victory over the Arizona Coyotes.

Jaden Schwartz notched his first career hat trick to lead the way, while Alexander Steen and David Backes each tallied a goal and an assist. Schwartz, who also added an assist on Saturday, is leading the Blues with four goals and seven points this season.

"The puck was just kind of finding me," Schwartz said. "It was nice seeing them go in."

Jori Lehtera scored his first career goal, while Vladimir Tarasenko finished with three assists. Jake Allen made 24 saves for the Blues, who were shut out 1-0 by the Los Angeles Kings in their previous game on Thursday.

It wasn't all good news for the Blues, however, as centerman Paul Stastny suffered an upper-body injury on his opening shift against the Coyotes and will miss Sunday's game. Stastny, who signed a four-year, $28 million deal to join St. Louis in the offseason, is day-to-day, according to Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock.

Brian Elliott expects to get the start in net for St. Louis. He is 1-4-2 with a 3.11 goals against average in eight career games against the Ducks.

St. Louis is completing a three-game road trip Sunday and the Blues won't play again until they host Vancouver on Thursday.