VIDEO: Ducks Downed In OT By Avs

Photo: AP, Jae C. Hong

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Colorado Avalanche. John Gibson was scratched because he had the flu. As a result, Ryan Miller was in net against Philipp Grubauer.

First Period

The Ducks would strike first in this game as Pontus Aberg‘s shot was blocked and Brandon Montour would get to the loose change. Montour scooped up the puck at the side of the net and continued behind the goal putting in the puck on the other side for a beautiful wrap-around goal. Anaheim had a couple of more chances to score, but the game 1-0 after this first period.

Second Period

Colorado would score first in the period and tie the game. Patrik Nemeth picked up a rebound and made a pass behind the net to Sven Adrighetto, who snuck the puck past Miller just inside the post. Anaheim would answer on the power play as Ryan Getzlaf took a point shot that fooled a partially screened Grubauer. The Ducks would add to the lead as Montour took a shot and Ondrej Kase would deflect it over the shoulder of Grubauer to make it a 3-1 Anaheim lead. Colorado did get one back before the period ended as Nathan MacKinnon scored on the power play. Kase had a breakaway in the final minutes of the period, but he couldn’t get it past Grubauer. The Ducks led 3-2 heading into the final frame.

Third Period

The Ducks got a power play chance early in the period, but couldn’t convert. MacKinnon would tie the game up on his second goal of the contest. Mikko Rantanen would take the puck behind the net and then find MacKinnon in the slot, who beat Miller before he could recover towards the front of the net. The teams headed to overtime tied at three.

Overtime

In the final minute of overtime, MacKinnon had a chance at a hat trick, but Aberg prevented him from scoring. Aberg stopped a quality scoring chance, but he was also called for slashing and the Ducks were shorthanded for final 14.7 seconds of the game. Rantanen would rip a point shot and beat Miller with just 1.3 seconds left in the game giving the Avalanche the victory.

Analysis

For the second consecutive game, the Ducks played well but couldn’t get a regulation win. In this contest, Anaheim was able to build a two-goal lead but Colorado was able to rally back. Anaheim was shorthanded twice and gave up goals both times. Despite being forced to play four rookie defensemen, Anaheim almost went to a shootout in this contest. The Ducks have been trending in the right direction in the last couple of games despite key injuries to their blueline.

Team Notes/Stats

This is the first loss this season when Anaheim was leading after two periods. The Ducks were 5-0-0 before this contest when leading to start the third period.

Anaheim started four rookie defensemen (Jacob Larsson, Joshua Mahura, Marcus Pettersson, and Andy Welinski) for the first time since the 1994-95 season. The last time it happened was on May 3rd, 1995, when the Ducks started rookie defensemen Darren Van Impe, Jason York, Milos Holan and Oleg Tverdovsky against Toronto.

Eight of the Ducks home games this season have gone to overtime and/or a shootout.

Roster Moves

Prior to this contest, the Ducks called up Kevin Boyle, Jake Dotchin, and Joshua Mahura.

Luke Schenn was placed on waivers on Saturday and cleared them yesterday.

Injury News

Hampus Lindholm was placed on the injured reserve yesterday with a lower-body injury.

According to the Ducks medical staff, Cam Fowler‘s surgery went well. They will announce a timetable for his return in the near future.

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November 19th, 2018