VIDEO: Sprong, Getzlaf Lift Ducks Past Devils

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their homestand against the New Jersey Devils. Ryan Miller was in net against Cory Schneider.

First Period

The Devils would strike first as former Duck Kyle Palmieri got to a rebound and put it past Miller. The Ducks would respond quickly as Jakob Silfverberg would put one past a screened Schneider to tie the game. Anaheim would then get a bounce as Kiefer Sherwood would center the puck and it would hit the skate of another former Duck Stefan Noesen and bounce in the net. The Devils would answer back as Taylor Hall made a pass to Palmieri, who one-timed it past Miller’s shoulder. New Jersey would score again to take a 3-2 lead. Marcus Johansson would make a pass behind the net to Damon Severson for the goal. Brandon Montour would respond with a goal beating Schneider glove side. A wild opening period ended with six goals and a 3-3 tie.

Second Period

The Devils would take the lead back as Brett Seney would get to a rebound and put it past Miller. Miller had made the initial save, but kicked the rebound right to Seney. The Devils had a power play later in the period, but the Ducks kill the penalty off. New Jersey led 4-3 going into the third period.

Third Period

In the beginning of the period, Miller was crashed into by Joshua Mahura who was defending against Taylor Hall. John Gibson had to come in to relieve Miller. The Ducks would tie the game as Pontus Aberg sent a point shot that hit Ben Lovejoy‘s glove and redirected into the net. Later on, the Ducks got a power play and as the penalty expired they would take a 5-4 lead with some help from the Devils again. The Ducks were swarming the net and at one point the puck popped up in the air above the New Jersey. Andy Green tried to hit it away from the net but inside redirected the puck into his own net. The Devils redeem themselves as they pulled their goalie and scored an empty net goal to at least earn a point in this content.

Overtime/Shootout

Both teams had some chances to put the game away, but there would be no scoring in the overtime. In the shootout, Daniel Sprong and Ryan Getzlaf would both score and the Ducks went on to win 6-5.

Analysis

This was one of the wildest games in recent history for Anaheim. The first period alone saw six goals and several lead changes. At different moments late in the game it looked like Anaheim would win, but New Jersey was able to battle back to force overtime. It was also a strange game due to the fact that three of Anaheim’s goals went in off of a New Jersey player. The goals were deflected in by a skate, a goal, and a stick of various different New Jersey players. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

Game Notes/Stats

Randy Carlyle coached his 900th NHL regular season game.

Jakob Silfverberg has a three-game goal scoring streak.

Injury News

Ryan Miller exited the game with a lower-body injury.

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December 10th, 2018