Ducks @ Blue Jackets RECAP- Gibson shines in Ducks Shootout win
Following a 2-0 victory in Buffalo on Tuesday night, the Anaheim Ducks (14-8-5, 33 points) looked to begin a new winning streak this evening in their next contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-11-0, 26 points). The Ducks were flying high heading into this game after they prevailed over the Sabres two nights prior, but they were also buoyed specifically by Trevor Zegras' stunning assist to Sonny Milano for the game-winning goal in that same game. The Blue Jackets entered tonight having lost 5 of their last 6 games, most recently dropping a close contest to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday evening, 5-4.
Team Rankings Heading Into Tonight’s Matchup (per ESPN & Evolving Hockey)
Anaheim Ducks
Powerplay: 5th in NHL (26.7%)
Penalty Kill: 4th in NHL (85.9%)
xGF% at 5v5: 13th in NHL (50.1%)
CF% at 5v5:19th in NHL (49.1%)
Columbus Blue Jackets
Powerplay: 11th in NHL (21.0%)
Penalty Kill: 13th in NHL (81.8%)
xGF% at 5v5: 27th in NHL (45.4%)
CF% at 5v5: 23rd in NHL (47.3%)
1st Period
The Ducks started the game lethargically, but picked up their play as the period went on. Ultimately, they were both out-chanced and out-shot by the Blue Jackets in the opening frame, posting a 41.0% xGF and 47.1% CF, respectively, at 5v5. Anaheim generated 5 High Danger Chances at 5v5 in the period, while allowing 6 High Danger Chances to Columbus. The Blue Jackets struck first in the opening period with 11:58 remaining, when Eric Robinson zipped a cross-zone pass to Alexandre Texier, who easily beat John Gibson to score his 9th goal of the season, giving Columbus a 1-0 lead. Anaheim answered back just minutes later with 9:37 remaining in the period when Isac Lundestrom scored his career-high 7th goal of the season on a breathtaking breakaway play, tying the game at 1-1. With 3:34 remaining in the period, the Ducks earned their first powerplay opportunity due to a holding penalty called on Blue Jackets defenseman Andrew Peeke. However, the Blue Jackets successfully killed the powerplay opportunity, and the period ended shortly thereafter with the 1-1 tie intact.
2nd Period
The Blue Jackets jumped out of the gate ready to play. Zach Werenski scored 52 seconds into the period. Anaheim would challenge the play for offsides. The review did not take long to confirm that the play was offside and the game would remain tied 1-1. The Jackets didn’t slow down. They kept the pressure on Anaheim most of the period, causing them to take a penalty midway through the period when Josh Manson tripped Boone Jenner. The Ducks would kill off their first penalty of the game. The Ducks were able to mount some chances, when the Zegras/Milano/Rakell line was able to turn a tic-tac-toe passing play into a great scoring chance that was stopped by Elvis Merzlikins. Anaheim would take another penalty in the final three minutes of the period when Kevin Shattenkirk took a high sticking minor. The tie was nearly broken when Zach Werenski had a point blank chance in front of the net that John Gibson would deny with his right pad. The teams skated into the locker room tied 1-1. The Ducks posted an impressive 63.5% xGF during 5v5 play, although they were out-shot at 5v5 and posted a 44.4% CF.
3rd Period
The Ducks and Blue Jackets spent a majority of the third period exchanging chances with lots of north and south hockey. Troy Terry put on a show of dangles with a marvelous individual effort that nearly resulted in a Ducks goal, but Merzlikins was able to snag it with a slick glove save. The period almost ended in catastrophe for Anaheim when Cam Fowler and John Gibson miscommunicated with each other behind the net. The turnover would lead to extended zone time with just over two minutes to play where the Blue Jackets could not capitalize. The period ended, still tied at 1-1, with the Blue Jackets winning the xGF battle at 57.5% over the Ducks. The Blue Jackets also outshot Anaheim at 5v5 during the final frame and posted a 51.7% CF.
Overtime
The first half of the overtime was fairly conservative on both sides. A few out-numbered attacks for Anaheim saw Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras almost end the game, but neither could really get the puck to settle for them. Shots were 4-2 in favor of Columbus during the extra session, continuing their overall advantage of shot total at 5v5 for the game.
Shootout
The Blue Jackets elected to shoot first:
CBJ- Oliver Bkorkstrand came in and Gibson made a nice glove save.
ANA- Troy Terry came with his signature forehand to the backhand in tight, but caught the iron keeping the shootout tied.
CBJ- Alexandre Texier, who had the only goal for the Blue Jackets in regulation, skated in with speed and missed the net by a wide margin.
ANA- The door was open for Trevor Zegras, who skated wide and slowed down as he closed in on the net. With an insanely quick release, Zegras put it through the five-hole. 1-0 Ducks.
CBJ- With a chance to win the game for Anaheim, John Gibson looked to stop Jakub Voracek. He was unsuccessful, as he bit on the fake. 1-1.
ANA- With their second chance to win the game, Rickard Rakell came in very slowly, getting Merzlikins to go down and then roofed it to give the Ducks the extra point.
Final Thoughts
The Ducks were not as flashy in this game, but it was a solid road game. After giving up the lead in the first, they clawed right back in. The Zegras/Milano/Rakell line continued to hold the rank of the best line for the Ducks, even though none recorded a point in the game. John Gibson looked solid in this game. The most important thing Ducks fans should focus on is that Anaheim is continuing to put up points in the Pacific Division standings even though key contributors like Ryan Getzlaf, Adam Henrique, and Max Comtios are on injured reserve. Picking up these points will put them in a good position when these players return if they have their eyes set on the postseason.
3 Stars
1. John Gibson
2. Zach Werenski
3. Rickard Rakell
Up Next
The Ducks (15-8-5, 35 points) fly eastward for the penultimate matchup on their five-game eastern swing on Saturday evening to face the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the puck dropping at 4pm PST.
Note: all statistics included in this article are per Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick, and ESPN.