VIDEO: Ducks Blank Sens; Honor Murray

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks returned home to face the Ottawa Senators. With John Gibson playing the night before in Las Vegas, the Ducks turned to Ryan Miller in net for this contest. Craig Anderson was in goal for the Senators.

First Period

The Ducks started the game with good energy and created chances early on. At one point Corey Perry was cross checked by Dion Phaneuf and the two dropped gloves. It wasn’t much of a scrap as Perry was trying to protect his chin that had several stitches recently. Both teams had power play chances in this period, but neither could convert as the game remained scoreless after 20 minutes of play.

Second Period

The Ducks got on the board early in this period as Adam Henrique scored his first official goal as a Duck. Rickard Rakell got to a puck behind the Ottawa net and passed it in front to a streaking Henrique, who shot it past Anderson at the far post. Henrique was originally credited with his first goal as a Duck on the last road trip, but the league reviewed the play and said it was scored by Corey Perry. Anaheim then got a highlight reel goal from Ondrej Kase, who made one Ottawa defender wipe out in front of the net and then got Anderson to go down early as Kase backhanded into the top of the net. Anaheim took a 2-0 lead to the locker room.

Third Period

The Senators made a push in the final frame almost doubling their shots on goal from the previous two periods. Miller was equal to the task and stopped everything that came his way. Henrique scored an empty net goal for his second goal of the night and as a member of the Ducks. Anaheim won 3-0.

During one of the television timeouts, the Anaheim Ducks showed a video tribute to honor the late Bryan Murray. (Narrated by Phil Hulett).

Analysis

The Ducks didn’t wait until the second period to get things going in this contest. Anaheim was able to roll four lines and sustain decent pressure throughout the game. This in turn resulted in the Ducks playing better defensively. Miller was on point all night and earned his first shutout as a member of the Ducks. Anaheim wasn’t able to convert on the power play, but it didn’t matter as the Ducks were able to score on even strength and shut down the Senators.

Game Notes/Stats

The Ducks held the Senators to less than 30 shots on net. The last time Anaheim held a team to less than 30 shots was on November 9th against Vancouver.

Miller recorded his 40th career shutout, which ties him for second on the all time list of American-born goaltenders with at least 40 shutouts. John Vanbiesbrouck and Frank Brimsek both have 40th career shutouts. Jonathan Quick has 46.

Henrique has played in four games for Anaheim and has five points already. (2 goals + 3 assists).

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December 7th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks, ottawa senators