DUCKS VS SHARKS RECAP: No More Kid-ding Around

FIRST PERIOD

This season the Ducks have had a bad habit of getting off to bad starts in the opening period. Well, tonight they held true to that habit by surrendering a goal just twelve seconds into the game. Logan Couture was able to bang home a loose puck after an Evander Kane wrap around attempt was denied and kicked out to the point. Sharks dman Mario Ferraro then hammered a slap shot on net and Couture was there to bury the rebound. Sharks 1. Ducks 0.

Roughest of starts, no denying that, but the Ducks were able to settle things down and balanced the ice with a powerplay about two minutes after San Jose’s opening goal. Now, now, I know the Ducks powerplay has been terrible less than stellar this season, but they were able to fire seven shots on net and had numerous cross ice opportunities and great looks. Sometimes special teams can drive or kill momentum. Given how bad the Ducks powerplay has been this year, this was a great sign for this team as I said, they were able to settle the game down a bit.

The rest of the period was fairly balanced. The period began with the Sharks having the momentum and ended that way as well. Sharks would hang onto the 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

SECOND PERIOD

Last night’s game was a bit of a tire fire in terms of structured play. The second period ended up being about the opposite of that. Both teams played much more balanced and controlled game.

The second period also brought Isac Lundestrom his first NHL goal. After an extended shift in the Sharks’ zone, Kevin Shattenkirk was able to keep possession going and passed the puck to the point to Hampus Lindholm. Lindholm fired the puck on net while Lundestrom jumped to provide a screen or maybe get out of the way? Either way, the puck struck the shaft on Lundy’s stick and it was redirected past Devan Dubnyk for the first Duck’s goal of the game and the first of Lundestrom’s NHL career. Game 1-1.

The Ducks also brought their “better looking, but still not able to score a goal” powerplay to the table a couple of times in the second. Although the failed to convert on their PP chances, they had much better puck movement and overall looked and felt more dangerous.

This period would close out tied up 1-1.

THIRD PERIOD

The period more or less looked like the second period minus the Lundestrom goal. The Ducks and Sharks both had chances to take the league, but the puck just wouldn’t cooperate as a few chances squeaked by Miller and Dubnyk only to miss the net. Neither the Ducks nor the Sharks were able to pot the go ahead goal, so for the second night in a row, these teams would head to OT.

OVERTIME

Overtime has quickly become No-vertime in the Anaheim. Tonight was a different story though. Troy Terry set up Rickard Rakell with a beautiful leading pass that Ricky was not able to coral. Ricky again would get another glorious chance as Isac Lundestrom was able to streak up the left side of the Shark’s zone in the dying seconds of OT. He swung behing the net and through the puck into Dubnyk’s pads. Ricky was sitting on the front pourch waiting for the rebound, but was not able to burry it home. OT over. Off to the shootout.

SHOOTOUT

Troy Terry = Beauty move and backhand goal.

Max Comtois = No move. Five hoal rocket.

Ryan Miller slamming the 5-hole shut twice to seal the win.

QUICK STATS

Shots on Goal – ANA: 33 SJ: 27

5v5 CF% – ANA: 53.16%   SJ: 46.84%

5v5 xGF – ANA: 1.59   SJ: 2

5v5 xGA – ANA: 2  SJ: 1.59

**All stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com

FINAL THOUGHT

The kids all came to play. This was Isac Lundestrom’s best game a Duck. Max Comtois was constantly dangerous and just seems to have a knack to get shots on net. Troy Terry has now had back to back solid games and you can really see his confidence out there. Sam Steel seems to be finding his way, but I liked that he was a bit more physically engaged and had a few glimpses of what he could be if he finally puts it all together. All in all, the Ducks played well and controlled play. It was a well earned win that they deserved.

3 STARS

1) Isac Lundestrom

2) Ryan Miller

3) Devan Dubnyk

NEXT UP

The Ducks get much deserved couple of days off and will play the Vegas Golden Knights in Vegas at 7PM PST at the T-Mobile Arena.