Ducks Come Up Short Against Canucks

Photo: USA Sports

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks concluded their short two game road trip in Vancouver. John Gibson was in net against Thatcher Demko. Radko Gudas was out with a lower-body injury. Tristan Luneau drew in on defense.

Recap

The Canucks opened up the scoring about seven minutes in. Hronek took a shot that Gibson blocked, but Boeser got to the loose puck and tapped it in for the score. The Ducks had a power play later in the period, but couldn’t convert. The Canucks held a 1-0 lead after the first period. Ilya Lyubushkin went to the locker room at the end of the period and didn’t return in this one.

The Ducks killed off a Vancouver power play in the opening minutes of the game. Anaheim then tied things up with a the man advantage a few minutes later. Adam Henrique got the puck at the side of the next and then found Ryan Strome in the slot. He took a shot high that beat Demko. The teams remained tied at one after the second period.

Vancouver scored in the opening minute of the third period to take a 2-1 lead. Elias Peterson did a wrap around move and was able to shot the puck inside the far post just past Gibson’s leg pad. Gibson chirped the refs saying he was interfered with, but they weren’t buying it.

Both teams exchanged power plays, both neither team scored with the main advantage. The Ducks pulled Gibson for the extra skater in the final minutes of the game. Boeser scored into the empty net to make it a 3-1 score, which was the final.

Analysis:

The Ducks played a much better game than they did previously against the Oilers. Anaheim had a 27 to 12 shots on goal advantage afterr 40 minutes of play. They had chances to score and easily could have been ahead leading into the third period. The Ducks did seem to run out of steam in the final frame as the Canucks put up 15 shots on net to just four for the Ducks.

Anaheim also had to play shorthanded defensively as Lyubushkin left the game in the first period and never returned. He sustained an upper-body injury and was listed as questionable to return during the game. The Ducks are going to need to figure something out defensively especially if Gudas can’t play on Thursday and/or Lyubushkin misses time. Also the pairing of Cam Fowler and Jackson LaCombe doesn’t seem to be working out too well lately.

The Ducks used to find ways to win and now they are finding ways to lose. It’s too early to be looking up the top picks in the next draft, but something needs to change if Anaheim wants to break this seven game losing streak.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Washington Capitals on Thursday at 7pm.

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, Ducks gear, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

November 29th, 2023