(SportsNetwork.com) - Bobby Ryan makes his return to Orange County on Sunday, as his Ottawa Senators visit the Anaheim Ducks in a battle at the Honda Center.
Ryan was selected by Anaheim with the second overall pick of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and became a highly-productive member of the franchise before being traded to Ottawa over the summer. Ryan could be facing an icy reception from Ducks fans on Sunday, but the talented winger appears to be taking it all in stride.
"I'm not sure," Ryan told the Senators official web site when asked what to expect on Sunday. "It'll be an emotional day. I spent six years there. Lot of friends and family in the area, so it'll be an emotional day. But, hopefully, I'll be well received. Who knows?"
The 26-year-old Ryan, who scored 30 or more goals four times during his time with the Ducks, was acquired on July 5 by the Senators for forwards Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and a first-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Ryan has two goals and two assists in his first four games with Ottawa.
Silfverberg, meanwhile, already has four goals and an assist in four games with the Ducks. In fact, the 22-year-old winger is coming off a big game for Anaheim, as he scored twice to help lead the Ducks to Thursday's 6-0 rout of the visiting New York Rangers.
"He just goes out and plays," Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau said of Silfverberg. "He's a quiet guy and he does what he does. He's a good enough player that he has some success."
Daniel Winnik and Dustin Penner each posted a goal and an assist on Thursday, while Saku Koivu and Ryan Getzlaf scored for the Ducks, who were playing their first home game of the season and have won three straight since losing to Colorado to start the year.
Jonas Hiller stopped 34 shots for his first shutout of the season in Thursday's win, which kicked off a five-game road trip.
The Ducks enter Sunday facing a rash of injuries, as forwards Nick Bonino, Kyle Palmieri, Dustin Penner and Mathieu Perreault are all questionable for tonight's game with various ailments.
Anaheim has won two straight and five of its last six meetings against the Senators, who have dropped two of their last three games at the Honda Center.
Ottawa is opening the season on a six-game road trip and has lost three straight after beginning the swing with a 1-0 victory in Buffalo. The Sens were in action Saturday in San Jose and dropped a 3-2 decision to the Sharks. Brent Burns buried the game-winner 7:08 into the third period, as San Jose handed Ottawa its first regulation loss of the season.
Ryan and Zack Smith notched a goal apiece for the Senators, who received 47 saves from Robin Lehner in the loss.
"Robin played real good," Senators coach Paul MacLean said. "We just can't continue to take penalties, especially the undisciplined kind, the ones we are taking. You can't expect the goalie to keep killing them off."
Senators No. 1 goaltender Craig Anderson expects to get the start on Sunday. He has not fared well against Anaheim in his career, posting a 2-6-0 record and a 3.34 goals against average in eight games versus the Ducks.
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