VIDEO: Ducks Can’t Slow Down The Rangers

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their road trip against the New York Rangers. John Gibson got the start in net against Igor Shesterkin. Jakob Silfverberg was scratched from the game as he was dealing with flu like symptoms according to Head Coach Dallas Eakins.

Recap

The Rangers got a power play about six minutes into the game and Vincent Trocheck would score on a redirect at the side of the Ducks net. New York nearly made it 2-0 when Artemi Panarin had a breakaway, but Gibson denied him. The Rangers had a few chances immediately afterward and Gibson kept it to a one goal deficit for Anaheim.

New York went on another power play and converted again. Trocheck found Mika Zibanejad as he snuck in behind Max Jones and scored at the side of the net.

Anaheim would eventually get on the board on a rocket of a shot from Frank Vatrano that beat Shesterkin high just under the cross bar. The Ducks then had a power play, but couldn’t convert to tie up the game.

Trevor Zegras broke in alone on Shesterkin and beat him low to tie the game at two early in the second period.

The Rangers would regain the lead on a goal credited to Zibanejad. He took a point shot that went off Gibson and then hit John Klingberg‘s skate and went in. New York would break the game open late in the period with two goals. Alexis Lafreniere and Panarin would each score to make it a 5-2 score after two periods.

Anthony Stolarz was in net to start the third period. Max Comtois scored early in the period to pull the Ducks within two goals. Later in the period Zibanejad would get his second goal of the game on the power play to make it a 6-3 game. A few minutes later, Derek Grant would get a tap in goal to get the Ducks back within two goals. Anaheim wouldn’t get any closer and dropped this contest by a 6-4 final.

Analysis:

Like the previous game against the Islanders, the Ducks went down 2-0 early on. Anaheim was able to rally to tie this game up at two apiece, but then New York pulled away in the second period. The middle frame has not been kind to Anaheim this season as 8 of the 17 goals scored against them have come during the second period.

For the second time this season the Ducks have given up three goals while on the penalty kill. Anaheim has given up six goals in 13 opponent power play attempts, which means the team is only 53.8% efficient in killing off penalties. The Ducks need to find a way to improve the penalty kill and also not take as many penalties. They have been able to produce on the power play with a 25% efficiency.

The team has also been outshot badly so far in these three contests. The Ducks have up given up 129 shots on goal, which is on average 43 shots on goal per game. Meanwhile Anaheim has just 72 shots on goal this season, averaging 24 per game. In terms of puck possession during 5-on-5 play, the Ducks have a CF% of 41.91% and a FF% of 37.07%.

Dallas Eakins has been changing the lines up to order to try to find a winning combination. It hasn’t worked in the last two games, but he also hasn’t just been rolling out the same lineup hoping for something to just materialize magically. Troy Terry picked up an assist and has a three game point streak, but he can’t do it all alone. Obviously the Ducks need to improve, but it’s also only been three games.

Team Notes/Stats:

The Ducks went with three former Rangers Ryan Strome, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Frank Vatrano as the alternate captains in this contest.

Brett Leason and Colton White made their Anaheim debuts in this game.

Pavol Regenda earned his first NHL point as he recorded an assist on Vatrano’s goal.

Terry leads the Ducks in scoring with 6 total points(3 goals + 3 assists).

What’s Next?

The Ducks play the New Jersey Devils tomorrow at 4 PM PT.

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October 17th, 2022