Ducks Doubled Up By Kraken

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks played the Seattle Kraken for the second time in a row on the road. Lukas Dostal was in net against Philipp Grubauer.

Recap

The teams exchanged power plays in the opening two minutes of the game, but neither team scored. The Ducks had another power play later in the first, but did not score. The teams remained tied after the first period.

The Ducks were called for three penalties in the second period. The Kraken scored on the second power play halfway through the period to take a 1-0 lead. Jaden Schwartz happened to be at the right place at the right time. Jordan Eberle tried to jam the puck in at the left post and the rebound hit Schwartz deflecting into the net.

Anaheim was called for a penalty about two minutes into the third, but the Ducks would take advantage scoring two shorthand goals. Isac Lundestrom beat Grubauer on a partial breakaway over his glove to tie the game at one. Jakob Silfverberg then scored 45 seconds later on his own partial breakaway. He took one shot then got the rebound and sent that home for the goal.

Just over five minutes into the period, Trevor Zegras got tangled up with Brandon Tanev. Zegras got frustrated and cross-checked Tanev in the back. Zegras got two minutes for holding and another two minutes for cross-checking. Andre Burakovsky scored on the first power play to tie the game at two. The Ducks killed off the second power play.

William Lagesson then dropped the gloves with Brandon Tanev shortly after the teams were playing at even strength.

The Ducks then got into penalty trouble again being called of three penalties in the final 10 minutes of the game. Tye Kartye beat Dostal glove side just after the first penalty expired to make it a 3-2 lead. Matthew Beniers then scored on the final power play to make it 4-2, which would be the final score.

Recap

The Ducks played a better game this time around against the Kraken, but discipline and penalties did them in during the third period. Anaheim was shorthanded 10 times in this contest and Seattle scored three times with the man advantage. The Ducks had three power plays, but did not convert on any of them.

This was an unusual game with almost all the goals being scored on special teams. The Ducks were able to get back-to-back shorthanded goals early in the third and appeared to have some life with a 2-1 lead. That life quickly faded with the penalty party to the sin bin that followed.

Zegras was benched after receiving the double minor penalties in the third period. He was obviously frustrated as he hit the penalty box camera multiple times with his stick. Head Coach Greg Cronin has benched Zegras before, so it’s nothing new, but here has been concern from some as to the consistency of when he decides to bench players. The team has nine games left to try to find a way to finish on a positive note.

What’s Next?

The Ducks face Edmonton Saturday at 1PM.

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March 29th, 2024