Ducks Can’t Handle The Lightning

Photo: AP

The Anaheim Ducks continued their road trip in Tampa Bay against the Lightning. Lukas Dostal was in net against Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Recap

In the first period the teams traded power plays, but neither team could convert. Each team had two opportunities with the mad advantage. The Ducks outshot the Lightning 12 to 9 in a scoreless opening period.

The Lightning then scored first and often in the second period. Nicholas Paul scored just over 7 minutes into the period as his shot went off Simon Benoit‘s foot and redirected past Dostal.

A few minutes later, Ross Colton would score on the power play to make it 2-0. He took a pass and one timed a shot from the left face-off circle high past Dostal.

Then about one minute later Anthony Cirelli would get the puck in front of the net and fake Dostal out for the score. A scoreless game now turned into a 3-0 advantage for Tampa Bay in less than four minutes of play.

Zach Bogosian added one more goal for Tampa Bay in the period. He took a point shot just inside the blue that beat Dostal through traffic.

In the beginning of the third, the Lightning went on the power play and scored. Nikita Kucherov found Brayden Point alone in front and he beat Dostal down low.

A few minutes later and Corey Perry would score to make it 6-0. He got a pass in front and redirected it high over Dostal for the score.

Sam Carrick and Pat Maroon then dropped the gloves. They fought before the puck drop and both were given game misconducts.

The Ducks finally got on the board a few minutes later and broke the shutout. Cam Fowler found Ryan Strome in front of the net and he beat Vasilevskiy low for the score. Anaheim ended up losing by a 6-1 final.

Analysis:

The Ducks played a decent first period as they outshot the Lightning and were tied. Then everything went to hell in the second period. The Lightning dropped four goals on the Ducks and Anaheim was only able to manage one shot on goal in the middle frame. The Ducks were able to get at least get on the board once in the third to ruin the shutout bid by the Lightning.

Anaheim has had some bad periods this season, but the second period in this contest might have been the worst one. The Ducks were out scored 4 to 0, but they were also outshot 22 to 1. But the end of the middle frame the game was all but over. The Ducks have two more games on this road trip before returning home where most of the games in March will be at the Honda Center.

Team Notes/Stats:

Adam Henrique left the game in the second period and did not return. He suffered a lower body injury.

What’s Next?

The Ducks face the Washington Capitals Thursday at 4 PM PT.

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February 22nd, 2023