VIDEO: Ducks Earn Point In OT Loss

Photo: USA Today

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks faced the Washington Capitals for the first time this season. John Gibson went in net for Anaheim, squaring off against Braden Holtby. Anaheim did get Hampus Lindholm back in this game.

First Period

The Ducks got the early lead as Derek Grant broke out on a 2-on-1 and took the shot beating Holtby high on the stick side. Capitals Tom Wilson had a great chance to score but hit the post instead. Immediately after the missed shot attempt, he and Kevin Bieksa dropped the gloves. Ducks lead 1-0 after the first 20 minutes.

Second Period

In the middle of the period, Andre Burakovsky was called for hooking against Adam Henrique. The Ducks would extend their lead as Ryan Getzlaf took a slap shot that Jakob Silfverberg would just get a piece off as it bounced just past Holtby. It was the only power play of the game for either team and the Ducks took a 2-0 advantage as a result after two periods.

Third Period

Washington turned up the pressure in the third and scored twice to tie the game. First Nicklas Backstrom scored and then a few minutes later Evgeny Kuznetsov tied the game. Both goals were the result of turnovers. The Ducks had some chances in the period but were forced to go to overtime.

Overtime

The Ducks have kept Alex Ovechkin quiet for most of the night, but not in overtime. Ovechkin took the puck at center ice and brought it down to the face-off center to the left of Gibson. Even with Brandon Montour covering him well, Ovechkin launched a shot that would be Gibson high on the stick side just under the crossbar. Capitals won 3-2.

Analysis

Disappointing game for the Anaheim Ducks to lose. They managed to get a point, but they had Washington where they wanted them after two periods. The Ducks couldn’t keep the Capitals down however in the third period and two turnovers proved costly. Rickard Rakell did have a good chance to win the game in overtime, but Holtby was able to turn him away. The Ducks are playing better overall, they just need to eliminate the 5-10 minutes of back play that has cost them at times this season.

What’s next?

The Ducks travel to New Jersey to face the Devils on Monday at 4 PM PT.

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December 17th, 2017