VIDEO: Ducks Take Bite Out Of Sharks

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks traveled to San Jose to take on the Sharks for one game. Troy Terry returned to the lineup. Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell both were still out with upper-body injuries. John Gibson was in net against Martin Jones.

First Period

The Sharks had a couple of good chances to start the game, but Gibson was equal to the task. The Ducks would then take the lead on a goal by Adam Henrique. He received a nice pass from Danton Heinen and then beat Jones stick side for the opening score.

The Ducks nearly scored again, then Sam Carrick and Jeffrey Viel dropped the gloves. Carrick’s face got bloodied and he had to head to the locker room.

The teams exchanged quality chances in one sequence toward the end of the period, but neither team scored. The Ducks ended the period on a power play.

Second Period

The Ducks started the period on the power play and would convert. Sam Carrick would take a shot-pass and Max Comtois would redirect it past Jones.

The Sharks would then get a power play of their own and Patrick Marleau would score to make it a 2-1 Ducks lead.

The Ducks would then answer back with a goal by Isac Lundestrom. Josh Manson would get to a rebound at the side of the San Jose net and then find Lundestrom in the slot for an easy score.

The Sharks got a power play and the Ducks killed it off. Anaheim added to their lead when Troy Terry took a shot that deflected to Nicolas Deslauriers, who had a wide open net and slammed the puck home.

Third Period

The Sharks would get a power play early on in the period. Jamie Drysdale was called for holding, even though it was Logan Couture that was the one actually holding Drysdale’s stick. Anaheim killed off the penalty.

The Ducks got a 2-on-0 rush with Derek Grant leading the way with Deslauriers. Grant elected to pass it, instead of shooting it and Deslauriers was denied.

San Jose then decided to pull Jones with about 7 minutes to go and David Backes would score an empty net goal to make 5-1. The Sharks would get a late power play, but didn’t convert.

Team Stats/News:

Amazing to see the Ducks win by a big margin without Ryan Getzlaf, Hampus Lindholm, Sonny Milano, Rickard Rakell, Carter Rowney, Sam Steel, and Trevor Zegras. Zegras is the only non-injured player in this group.

Adam Henrique and Max Comtois both scored. They lead the team in goals with 11 each.

Analysis

The Ducks had plenty of energy in this game, especially in the second period. After getting the early 1-0 lead to start the game, Anaheim turned it on with three goals in the middle frame. The Ducks were able to sustain a constant forecheck and cashed in several times.

John Gibson had a solid night in net stopping 33 of 34 shots. The Ducks penalty kill played better only giving up one goal in four shorthanded situations. Most importantly, the Ducks didn’t sit on the lead and kept pushing in the third period.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche on Friday at 7pm

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April 7th, 2021