VIDEO: Zegras Lifts Ducks Over Leafs In OT

Photo: Reuters

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at Honda Center. The Ducks were currently on a seven game losing streak and the Leafs were on a three game losing streak. The Ducks went with a 11 forward and seven defensemen lineup again. John Gibson was in net against Erik Kallgren.

Recap

Toronto got an early power play after Adam Henrique was called for hooking. Auston Matthews scored on the man advantage to make it an 1-0 game.

Anaheim would answer back as Derek Grant got the puck to Jakob Silfverberg in the slot, who beat Kallgren to tie things up at one.

Denis Malgin scored on a breakaway towards the end of the period with a backhand shot and the Leafs had a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Derek Grant nearly tied things up in the final seconds of the middle frame, but he was denied by Kallgren. Auston Matthews did slash him on the play and the Ducks had a power play to start the third period.

The Leafs extended their lead when Calle Jarnkrok scored shorthanded to make it a 3-1 lead. A few minutes later Cam Fowler was called for hooking on a breakaway attempt by Alexander Kerfoot and he was awarded a penalty shot. Kerfoot tried to beat Gibson high, but ended up shooting it over the net.

About one minute later, Zegras would get a partial breakaway and backhanded the puck over Kallgran’s glove to make it a 3-2 game. Dmitry Kulikov then tied things up with a great individual effort. He made a wrap around attempt and was able to get the puck between the post and Kallgren’s skate for the score. The game was tied up with about seven minuets to go.

The Ducks appeared to take a 4-3 lead when Frank Vatrano took a shot that deflected off a Justin Holl‘s skate and into the net. The play was reviewed and the score was erased due to goalie interference. It was ruled that Adam Henrique pushed David Kampf into the goalie.

Overtime would be needed to determine a winner in this game. The Leafs nearly ended the game early in the extra session, but Gibson came up with a huge glove save at the goal line. Zegras would eventually win this one as he would  take a quick shot, which beat Kallgren over the shoulder.

Analysis:

The Ducks were able to finally get a win, but it wasn’t easy. They were down by two goals early in the third and Toronto might have been able to put the game out of reach if they converted on the questionable penalty shot call. Instead Anaheim was able to mount a comeback and nearly won the game in regulation.

Vatrano could have won the game in regulation, but a very questionable goalie inference call was made against Henrique during the score. It was great to see the Ducks not get down and instead they pulled out a win in overtime. Anaheim played a decent 5-on-5 game with a 54.08 CF% and 54.43 FF%. Anaheim has been putting up more shots lately and nearly had 40 on net in this one. Moving forward the Ducks still need some work on their special teams as they gave up a power play goal and shorthanded goal.

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to San Jose to face the Sharks on Tuesday at 7:30 PM PT.

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October 31st, 2022