Ducks Edge Devils 4-3

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the New Jersey Devils. Lukas Dostal started in net against Nico Daws. Troy Terry returned to the lineup after being out the last two games with an upper-body injury. He was checked hard into the boards in the recent game against LA.

The Ducks were without Cam Fowler and Leo Carlsson, who both had upper-body injuries. Fowler took a puck to the face in the opening moments against San Jose and didn’t return. Carlsson did not play down the stretch in the final 9-10 minutes against San Jose. He appeared to be on the receiving end of a check during the third period that had a lingering effect. Olen Zellweger was called up and played with Fowler out.

Recap

Frank Vatrano got the Ducks on the board just over three minutes into this one. Mason McTavish had the puck in the corner and passed it to Vatrano as he was falling on the ice. Frank had the puck all alone at the side of the net and beat Daws low to make it 1-0.

With just over five minutes to go in the period, Radko Gudas put a big check on Jack Hughes. Curtis Lazar took exception to the hit and jumped Gudas. Both players would sit for fighting. Lazar got an extra two minutes for instigating and a 10 minute misconduct penalty as well.

With less than three minutes to go in the period, New Jersey tied the game up. Timo Meier got to a rebound and put it home. Dostal had stopped two shots just prior to the goal.

The Ducks would answer back less than a minute later with a goal by Adam Henrique. He created a turnover behind the New Jersey net and the loose puck came to Max Jones. He then passed it to Henrique at the side of the net for an easy tap in goal. The Ducks led 2-1 lead at the end of the first period.

Anaheim extended the lead to 3-1 just over halfway through the second period. Gustav Lindstrom passed him the puck in the slot and Jones predicted the pass high over Daws for the score.

A few minutes later Urho Vaakanainen was called for holding and Jack Hughes scored on the power play to bring the Devils back within one goal.

Vatrano then answered with his second of the game. Troy Terry found him as he got behind the defense and Vatrano beat Daws with a backhand shot. The Ducks held a 4-2 advantage heading into the third period.

Daws was pulled to start the final period and Akira Schmid came in to man the net. The Devils applied all kinds of pressure in the final frame. They had a power play halfway through the period, but did not convert. They were awarded another power play with just over four minutes to go and they converted with a goal by Tyler Toffoli. Devils had pulled Schmid for a 6-on-4 power play.

In final minutes the Devils pulled Schmid again and had a mad scramble in the final seconds. They did not score, but Vatrano knocked the net off it’s posts with 2.1 seconds to go and the officials awarded New Jersey a penalty shot.

Jack Hughes took the penalty shot, but fumbled the puck at the moment of truth and never got a shot off. The Ducks ended up hanging on and winning 4-3.

Analysis:

This was another entertaining contest with the Ducks already starting the game shorthanded without Leo Carlsson and Cam Fowler. Anaheim also lost Mason McTavish after the first period.

The Devils dominated this game at even strength posting an insane 69.03 CF% and 70.15 FF%. Overall, they had 55 shots on goal in 92 attempts versus Anaheim’s 23 shots on goal in 41 attempts. The Devils also converted on two of their four power plays. The Ducks had two power plays and didn’t cash in on either one.

The difference in this game was obviously goaltending. Dostal played an amazing game stopping multiple breakaways and odd man rushes. He only gave up one goal during ever strength play and that was after he had already stopped two shots moments before the goal. He also came up big in the final moments of the game keeping the puck out of the net. Lastly the penalty shot was key as he held his ground and Hughes ended up making too many moves, resulting in losing the puck. Daws on the other hand, had a rough night giving up four goals on just 14 shots and was pulled at the end of the second period.

Notes/Stats:

It was announced after the game that Dostal played despite being ill. Head Coach Greg Cronin said they had to give him medicine halfway through the second period. He set the record for most saves(52) in a win by a rookie goalie in Ducks franchise history.

Vatrano scored his 28th and 29th goals of the season. He became the fifth fastest player(141 games) in Ducks franchise history to score 50 goals. Teemu Selanne holds the record with 50 goals in 86 games.

Henrique has a four game point streak (two goals, four assists). He tied Scott Niedermayer for 10th all-time in franchise points(264).

Gudas wore an “A” with Fowler being out due to injury.

Mason McTavish (lower-body injury) left the game after the first period and did not return.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Vancouver Canucks Sunday at 5 PM.

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March 2nd, 2024