Ducks Left Seeing Stars

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their homestand against the Dallas Stars. John Gibson was in net against Jake Oettinger.

Prior to the game, Glenn Gawdin and Pavol Regenda were reassigned to San Diego. Mason McTavish and Troy Terry both returned to the lineup. Ben Meyers, who was traded for early in the morning, made his Anaheim debut.

Recap

The Stars struck early with a goal just over a minute into this contest. Chris Tanev took a point shot that was deflected and floated over Gibson, who lost sight of the puck.

The Ducks got a power play halfway through the period, but couldn’t convert with the man advantage.

The Stars got a power play in the final minutes of the period and scored. Roope Hintz scored on a deflection to make it 2-0. Radek Faksa then scored about 90 seconds on a deflection as well. Dallas led 3-0 at the end of the first period.

In the early stages of the second period, Jamie Benn scored on a power play and it was 4-0 Stars.

The Ducks got on the board about 30 seconds later. Ryan Strome deflected a Frank Vatrano shot up and over Oettinger, hitting the crossbar before falling into the net.

Mason Marchment made 5-1 just before the end of the period. He took a shot that hit the crossbar and then Gibson in the back deflecting into the net.

In the third, Alex Killorn scored on the power play to make it 5-2. He took a wrist shot from the slot that beat Oettinger over the shoulder.

The Ducks then got into penalty trouble taking back-to-back two minute minors. Joe Pavelski scored on the 5-on-3 power play to make it 6-2. Anaheim wouldn’t get any closer and lost 6-2.

Analysis:

A rough start doomed the Ducks from the beginning. Dallas outshot Anaheim 20 to 8 in the first period and jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The Ducks did play the Stars more evenly after the first period, but the early lead proved too much for Anaheim.

Special teams play was a big factor in this game. Dallas scored three times on their five power play attempts. The Ducks were only able to convert once in four power plays.

The good news for the Ducks is McTavish and Terry back. Hopefully they can get Leo Carlsson and Trevor Zegras back soon so they can at least finish the season with a healthy roster, which has been a rare sight this season.

Team Notes/Stats:

Vatrano’s assist was his 50th point on the season, a new career high for him.

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March 9th, 2024