VIDEO: Ducks Edge Preds 3-2

Photo: AP

By Richard Gonzalez

The Anaheim Ducks (27-34-9) took on the Nashville Predators (39-26-5) last night. Both teams are coming off losses as the Ducks lost 3-2 to the Los Angeles Kings and the Predators lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3. John Gibson and Pekka Rinne would get the starts. 

First Period

The period started off at a fast pace with both teams getting chances. At the 3:39 mark, Josh Manson spotted the captain, Ryan Getzlaf, at the near the boards alone. A quick pass sends Getzlaf alone into the Predators zone and a quick snapshot gets the Ducks up by one. The Ducks took the game’s first penalty at the 5:26 mark when Jacob Larsson got called for tripping. The Ducks would kill off that penalty and get their second goal of the game when team-leading goal scorer, Jakob Silfverberg, comes from behind the net and fires a wrist shot off the bar and into the net. Kyle Turris takes the period’s last penalty at the 15:48 mark but the Ducks would not convert. The Predators outshot the Ducks but the Ducks would hold on to the 2-0 lead. 

Second Period 

The tempo did not slow down for the second. The Predators got more traffic toward Gibson but the Ducks were there to provide support. There was a loose puck in the front of the net which forced Hampus Lindholm to take a penalty (cross-checking) on Calle Jarnkrok. Max Jones got hooked going toward the net and was awarded a penalty shot; however, he did not score. Moments later, Daniel Sprong would use his speed to get by Matt Irwin and score a backhand goal to give the Ducks a 3-0. The Predators would finish the period outshooting the Ducks 8-7 but the Ducks would hold the 3-0 lead. 

Third Period 

The Ducks would take the period’s penalty (boarding) at the 1:26 mark on Adam Henrique but the Predators did not convert. Both teams would get a pair penalties when P.K. Subban gets called for embellishment and Troy Terry gets called for a hold at the 4:49 mark. The next pair came at the 7:41 mark when Subban and Jones each get a slashing call. The Ducks would then take back-to-back penalties when Megna gets called for holding the stick (12:36) and Manson gets a delay of game call (6:09). The Predators would get consecutive power play goals from Filip Forsberg after they pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. They tried this strategy again but the Ducks were able to hold on to the lead. The Predators outshot the Ducks 15-2 in the third but the Ducks held on to win the game 3-2. 

Game Analysis 

The Ducks started off strong in the first period. They matched the speed of the Predators and got on the board quick. They didn’t allow the Predators to get that late goal, instead, they go up two after the first. The kept their emotions in check and did not get those extra penalties after the whistle but got into some trouble in the third.  Gibson looked very well in net having rebound control and staying focus on the plays. The two goals came off pretty impossible saves. The Ducks played with a lot of emotion and heart. The Predators, a playoff contender, possibly expected the Ducks to just go through the motions and not play as hard as they did. The Predators woke up in the third but the Ducks did a good job on not allowing them control at the Predators third extra-man advantage. 

The Ducks will play their next game on Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes.

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March 12th, 2019