VIDEO: Ducks Take Down The Blues; Drysdale Hurt

Photo: USA Today

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks took on the St. Louis Blues in their first of two matchups this weekend. John Gibson was activated off the IR and started in net. Jordan Binnington was in goal for the Blues.

First Period

The game got off to a physical start immediately with Jani Hakanpaa and Brayden Schenn dropping the gloves in the opening moments of the contest.

Later in the period Jamie Drysdale would take a big hit near the boards by Jacob de La Rose and he landed awkwardly on the ice. He would head to the locker room and did not return for the rest of the contest. There was no scoring in the opening period.

Second Period

Sam Steel would get the Ducks on the board first as a shot from a bad angle by Jakob Silfverberg would hit Steel and redirect into the net. Seconds later it was Ben Hutton and Jacob de La Rose who dropped the gloves.

In the final minute of the period Max Jones would fake Binnington out of his jockstrap and walk around him for an easy score. Ducks lead 2-0 after two periods.

Third Period

Halfway through the period the Blues would get on the board with a goal by Ryan ‘O’Reilly. St. Louis would continue to push to try to tie the game. The Blues pulled Binnington in the final minutes of the game, but the Ducks were able to seal a victory with two empty net goals. Derek Grant was able to chip a puck to center ice and then hit the empty goal. Josh Manson then delivered a big hit and shortly after Rickard Rakell scored to put an exclamation point on this win.

Team Notes/Stats:

Jamie Drysdale left the game with an upper body injury and will be re-evaluated today. He did practice today per Head Coach Dallas Eakins and appears to have avoided a major injury.

The Ducks were previously 0-4-0 against the Blues this season.

Analysis

Head Coach Dallas Eakins went with the 11 Forward/7 Defensemen lineup in this contest. He has utilized it a few times this season without much success. The Ducks were able to pull it off a win as they held a 2-1 lead late in this contest.

Anaheim was outshot in each period and didn’t do well in the face-off circle, but they brought the physical play and Gibson stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced. Anaheim will need to up their game in some areas if they want another win against the Blues on Sunday.

What’s Next?

The Ducks face the Blues Sunday at 2 PM PT.

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March 26th, 2021