VIDEO: Ducks Take Down Capitals; Niedermayer Honored

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Stanley Cup Championship Washington Capitals on a night where the organization retired Scott Niedermayer‘s jersey. Click below for the intro video and visit our YouTube channel for more videos from the ceremony. Ryan Miller got the start against Braden Holtby for Washington.

First Period

The Ducks came out strong to start the game, but it was Washington that would strike first. Alex Ovechkin would draw a penalty and then convert in the final seconds of the power play. Later in the period, Corey Perry would get called for a penalty, but Anaheim killed it off. The Ducks had a steady forecheck in the period and outshot the Capitals 16-8. The period ended with Washington up 1-0 and the Ducks still on a power play.

Second Period

The Ducks started the period on the power play but didn’t convert. Just over six minutes into the period, the Ducks would tie the game as Adam Henrique would tip a point shot past Holtby. Henrique would be involved in the next goal for Anaheim as well. Jakob Silfverberg would get behind the Capitals defense and get the puck all alone at the right side of the net. Instead of shooting, Silfverberg passed the puck to Henrique in the slot. It looked like Henrique would take a shot, but instead, he passed the puck back to Silfverberg for an easy tap-in goal. Things looked good for Anaheim, but John Carlson scored late in the period to even the score after two periods of play.

Third Period

The third period was all Anaheim. The Ducks started the period on the power play and Henrique was able to score after a mad scramble ensued in front of the Washington net. A few minutes later the Ducks would get another power play chance and Cam Fowler would find a wide-open Corey Perry, who scored his first goal of the season. Late in the period, Silfverberg would blast a shot over Holtby’s shoulder, knocking the water bottle off the net. Anaheim finished off Washington with a 5-2 victory.

Analysis

On a night with most of the 2006-07 Stanley Cup Championship Ducks team on hand, the current Anaheim Ducks team didn’t disappoint. The Ducks dropped 39 shots on goal against Washington and dominated them in the face-off circles winning 70% of the draws. The Ducks did get down early and there were some questionable penalty calls in the opening period, but it didn’t phase the Ducks. Anaheim also won the special teams battles. The Ducks were two for four on the power play and they kept Washington off the board with their three power-play chances.

Team Notes

Cam Fowler earned an assist(205) in this contest and ironically he passed Scott Niedermayer to become the team leader in assists by a defenseman.

Ryan Miller earned the victory(375) making him the winningest US-born goalie in NHL history.

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