Ducks Take Down The Devils

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their homestand against the New Jersey Devils. Lukas Dostal was in net against Jake Allen.

Beckett Sennecke scored in the opening minutes of the game to give Anaheim a 1-0 lead. Cutter Gauthier would get the puck to Sennecke and he would get by the defense and score on a wrist shot in close on net.

Frank Vatrano would score to make it 2-0 Ducks with just over five minutes left to go in the period. Jackson LaCombe found Vatrano at the right face-off circle and he one-timed it for the goal.

Gauthier made it a 3-0 lead early in the second period. He took a shot from a severe angle along the goal line to the right of the net and the puck squeezed in behind Allen. Ducks held a 3-0 advantage after two periods.

The Devils got on the board when Jack Hughes scored just under eight minutes into the third period. He beat Dostal on a 2-on-1 rush.

New Jersey pulled their goalie with just over three minutes to go and Chris Kreider scored in the empty net. Anaheim went on to win 4-1.

Analysis: 

This was a hard fought victory for Anaheim against New Jersey. The Devils came out putting up 14 shots on goal in the first period, but it was the Ducks who scored twice to build momentum early in this contest. A goal by Gauthier in the second made it a 3-0 contest and it seemed like the Devils were going to be shutout. To their credit they did fight back in the third period. New Jersey got on the board and nearly scored again before Kreider sealed the victory with an empty net tally.

In terms of even strength play the teams matched up well with New Jersey putting up 65 shot attempts to 61 for Anaheim. The Ducks posted a CF% 48.41% and a FF% of 45.88%. The Devils held the edge in high danger chances 13 to 10.

Special teams weren’t a factor in this contest. The Devils had one power play and the Ducks had two, but neither team cashed in while on the man advantage.

Sennecke looked like he was on a mission tonight. He had a goal and assist. His line mate Gauthier also had a goal and an assist. The line of those two with McTavish continue to be dangerous and produce.

It was good to see Vatrano get his first goal of the season and get the monkey off his back. Hopefully he can start to heat up.

Dostal played his best game of the season. He stopped 32 of 33 shots on goal by the Devils. He mades several big saves in this contest, especially in the third period after the Devils scored. He nearly posted his first shutout of the season.

Team Notes/Stats:

Kreider has six goals in seven games as an Anaheim Duck.

Gauthier leads the team with seven goals.

Don’t look now, but Anaheim is tied for first place in terms of points. It’s the first time since December of 2021 that Anaheim has been in first place in the Pacific Division. The Ducks have also won three in a row.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Florida Panthers Tuesday 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!

Nov 2nd, 2025