VIDEO: Ducks Rally, Earn Point In Shootout

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks took on the Vegas Golden Knights in their second game of back-to-backs. John Gibson was in net against Robin Lehner

Recap

Vegas came out flying in this contest and Reilly Smith got them on the board early on. The Golden Knights fired 21 shots on net in the first period, but Gibson kept the Ducks in the game and only down by one goal.

In the middle frame, Nicolas Hague scored early to make it a 2-0 game.

Ryan Getzlaf appeared to get the Ducks on the board, but Josh Manson and Keegan Kolesar fought at about the same time. The refs negated Getzlaf’s goal deeming the fight started before he scored. The goal would have tied Getzlaf with Teemu Selanne for the most points scored in franchise history by a player.

The Ducks would eventually get on the board as Sonny Milano got to a puck behind the Vegas net and then found Trevor Zegras in the slot.

The Golden Knights would get two goals to begin the third period and appeared to put this game away. Adam Henrique thought he had scored to get the Ducks back in it, but upon review the puck didn’t completely cross the red line. Vegas still led 4-1.

The Ducks still responded and scored three straight goals about five minutes of play. First Benoit-Olivier Groulx found Troy Terry in the slot, who faked Lehner out of his jockstrap with a backhand goal. Getzlaf got an assist on the play, so he now officially tied Selanne for the all-time franchise points scored.

Isac Lundestrom made it a one goal game as he got to a rebound and sent it home. Adam Henrique then tied the game after he deflected a Kevin Shattenkirk shot in front of the net.

The game needed bonus hockey to declare a winner. In overtime, both teams had chances, but a shootout would be necessary.

Zegras was up first and made it look easy blasting a shot over the shoulder of Lehner. Nicolas Roy would scored in the third round to keep the shootout going. Evgenii Dadonov scored in the next round to give the Knights the 5-4 win.

Analysis

The Ducks had a very slow start to this game and were outshot 21-8 in the opening period. They played better in the second period, but the start to the third saw them down by three goals. Despite Henrique’s goal not counting, the Ducks still came back in this one instead of just packing this one in.

The Ducks had three chances, but weren’t able to convert on the power play in this game. This was one of the few games where Anaheim wasn’t even shorthanded.

Anaheim rallied down twice now in their last two games by multiple goal deficits. This team has been fun to watch so far this season and regardless of the outcome they have heart.

Team News/Stats:

Rickard Rakell(upper-body) was placed on the IR before the game.

Ducks recalled Vinni Lettieri from San Diego.

Getzlaf tied Selanne with his 988th point as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.

What’s Next?

The Ducks return home to face the Montreal Canadiens Sunday at 1 PM PT.

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October 29th, 2021