Ducks @ Golden Knights RECAP: Still No Duck Luck in Vegas
The Ducks returned to action less than 24 hours after a comeback fell just short in a heartbreaking overtime loss last night against the Buffalo Sabres. The Ducks now found themselves facing the Vegas Golden Knights for the first time this season, a team that they have struggled to find success against since the team was born in 2017.
That theme of struggling in Vegas continued for this game as well, as the Ducks found themselves outplayed and outchanced for a majority of the game. However, true to the theme of this season so far, the Ducks did not quit on themselves, despite finding themselves down 4-1 in the 3rd period. They rallied to tie the game 4-4 and force overtime, and ultimately a shootout. Unfortunately, the shootout didn’t go in favor of the Ducks, and Vegas took it after four rounds.
1st Period
The first period was….not great all around. Early opportunities galore for Vegas resulted in a breakaway for Reilly Smith just over three minutes into the game. Smith would be denied on his initial attempt but clean up the rebound to give the Knights an early lead. 1-0 Vegas.
Things did not get any better from there for Anaheim and they found themselves hemmed into their own zone for a majority of the opening 20 minutes. Without John Gibson continuing to be John Gibson, this game could easily be 3-0 or 4-0 in favor of Vegas, but despite the fact that the Ducks were outshot 21-8 in the first period, the score was only 1-0. Shots at one point were 18-1 with just over seven minutes remaining in the period, so I guess you could say things got marginally better from that point.
Not really any positives to draw from the period outside of a crossbar hit by Troy Terry. He continues to generate offense consistently and make opportunities out of broken plays.
2nd Period
The 2nd period was better than the first, but still not a great period overall for Anaheim. The first few minutes of the period consisted of more of the same from what we had seen in the opening 20, and Nicolas Hague would double the Vegas lead just 3:52 into the period with a point shot that found its way through. 2-0 Vegas.
Anaheim responded for the first time in the game by actually applying a good bit of pressure and drawing a power play. Unfortunately, not much came from the power play, but it did at least provide a brief rest for Gibson, who continued to be very busy.
The Ducks thought they had broken through with a goal by Ryan Getzlaf, but turned back to see that Josh Manson had dropped the gloves with Keegan Kolesar, and the play didn’t count. Josh Manson has taken a lot of dumb penalties already in this young season and has struggled with his puck handling and decision-making, but this has to be far and away the dumbest thing he’s done. He was well out of the play, the Ducks were pressing and actually generating offense for the first time all night, and he actually negated a goal that would’ve tied Getzlaf with Teemu Selanne for the Anaheim Ducks franchise record in points. Yikes.
Luckily for Josh, the Ducks would at least get the response they deserved from that play, but through the continued chemistry between Sonny Milano and Trevor Zegras. Milano forced a turnover behind Robin Lehner’s net, found Zegras all alone in front, and Trevor didn’t miss the top corner. 2-1 Vegas.
Troy Terry drew another late power play and the Ducks carried 1:27 of power-play time into the final frame of regulation, needing a goal to tie. Shots on goal after 40 were 33-20 in favor of Vegas, 12-12 in the period. Not the worst, all things (the first period) considered.
3rd Period
The 3rd period went back to the Ducks failing to generate offense and letting Vegas get numerous odd-man rushes up ice. At least for the first five minutes or so…
First, it was a turnover by Sam Steel that sent an odd-man rush in on John Gibson, and Chandler Stephenson converted. 3-1 Vegas.
Then it was another rush, this time converted by William Carrier. 4-1 Vegas.
The Ducks did end up getting another power play on a slashing call against Shea Theodore, and despite a close call that came off the post and nearly crossed the line, the Ducks came away empty.
Troy Terry got a great pass from Bo Groulx on an odd-man rush with just under nine minutes left in regulation and he absolutely undressed Robin Lehner to bury a backhander and the comeback was on. 4-2 Vegas.
The Ducks continued to press and were once again rewarded, this time with a cleaned-up rebound by Isac Lundestrom, who pulled the Ducks to within a goal! 4-3 Vegas.
The Ducks completed the comeback with 3:31 remaining in regulation with a Kevin Shattenkirk shot that deflected off the glove of Robin Lehner and in to tie the game. 4-4 tie!
Overtime
Tense. Back and forth. Big saves. But no goals. To a shootout…
Shootout
Zegras - Scores!
Stephenson - Saved by Gibson!
Comtois - Saved by Lehner
Marchessault - Saved by Gibson
Shattenkirk - Saved by Lehner
Roy - Scores
Terry - Saved by Lehner
Dadonov - Scores
Vegas wins 5-4 in the shootout.
Final Thoughts
Someday, the Golden Knights won’t be good anymore and the Ducks will start to beat them consistently and they’ll be the ones getting outplayed. I can’t wait for that day. But until then, I like these Ducks that don’t quit on games when they seem down and out. A hell of an effort in the 3rd period after being completely dominated for the first 25-30 minutes. A well-deserved result after the number of times the Ducks have had points they deserved stolen from them, but still sad.
Three Stars
Troy Terry
John Gibson
Trevor Zegras
Up Next
The Ducks return home on Sunday to take on our very own Felix Sicard and his Montreal Canadiens for a midday game.