VIDEO: Anaheim Takes Down Tampa

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks finished their brief two game homestand against the defending champs. The Ducks would be without Head Coach Dallas Eakins, who was placed in the COVID protocol. Assistant Coach Mike Stothers filled in for this contest. He will likely coach the team for most of the upcoming road trip due to the COVID rules in Canada.

Josh Mahura was activated off the IR, while Sonny Milano(upper-body) was placed on it. John Gibson was in net against Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Recap

Ducks had a power play early in this game, but did not convert. Halfway through the period Derek Grant would score to give Anaheim the 1-0 lead. He took a shot that beat Vasilevskiy low glove side.

The Lightning had power play chance, but didn’t cash in.

The Ducks would add one more goal before the opening period ended. Kevin Shattenkirk got to a rebound and scored beating Vasilevskiy before he could recover from the first shot.

Anaheim would then extend the lead to 3-0 on the power play. Vasilevskiy would block a shot from Vinni Lettieri, but then he fell awkwardly leaving the net open. Grant got to the loose puck for the easy tap in goal.

There was an exchange of penalties at the end of the second period, but neither team converted on the power plays or during 4-on-4 play.

Lettieri would make it 4-0 Anaheim early in the third period. He used the defender as a partial screen and beat Vasilevskiy on his stick side.

Ross Colton would then beat Gibson a few minutes later to get Tampa Bay on the board.

The Lightning would pull their goalie and Nicolas Deslauriers would score to make it 5-1.

Then at the very end of the game Buddy Robinson and Callan Foote decided to drop the gloves. Ducks went on to win 5-1.

Analysis(Stats by Natural Stat Trick):

The Ducks came out swinging early in this game. Anaheim put up 28 shot attempts with 18 of them being on net in the opening period and took a 2-0 lead. The Lightning did fight back after the first period outshooting the Ducks 26 to 17. They also had a strong second period with a 69.57 CF% and a 68.42 FF%.

The key for Anaheim tonight was getting out to the early lead and Gibson was extremely sharp in this contest. He posted a .969 SV% and made several highlight saves to keep Tampa off the board until the third period.

It was amazing to see the Ducks beat the defending cup champs with so many players out as the team has grown accustomed to in recent weeks. Anaheim will now start a five game road in Boston on Monday.

What’s Next?

The Ducks play the Bruins in Boston on Monday at 4PM PT.

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January 21st, 2022