Ducks Get Caned By Carolina

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks finished their brief two game homestand against the Carolina Hurricanes. Lukas Dostal was in net against Frederik Andersen.

Carolina started the scoring with about five minutes left the first period. Mikael Granlund turned over the puck at the Anaheim blue line as Shayne Gostisbehere intercepted a pass attempt. He took a shot on net, which was blocked, but the rebound came to Seth Jarvis who had an open net for the easy score. Canes led 1-0 after the first period.

Jarvis would score again halfway through the second period to make it a 2-0 Carolina lead. He scored on a one-timer from the left circle while on the power play.

Leo Carlsson answered for Anaheim about a minute later. The Ducks had a 2-on-1 rush and Carlsson scored on a wrist shot from the right circle. Anaheim was down 2-1 after two periods.

At the end of the second period the tempers flared with Mason McTavish and Logan Stankoven mixing it up, which led to everyone getting involved. Even Dostal and Andersen exchanged a few words, but didn’t drop the gloves. The Ducks started the third period on the power play when it was all said and done.

The Ducks didn’t convert on the power play and Alexander Nikishin scored shortly after to make it 3-1 lead. Dostal stopped K’Andre Miller on a breakaway after serving his penalty. but Nikishin scored shortly afterward on a one-timer from the left circle.

Sebastian Aho scored with just over four minutes to go to make it a 4-1 contest. Jarvis stole the puck from Jackson LaCombe and found Aho in front of the net for the goal. Carolina went on to win 4-1.

Analysis:

For the fourth consecutive game the Ducks have given up the first goal. They got down 2-0 to Pittsburgh and were able to rally in that contest. In this game they also got down 2-0 again, but couldn’t mount a comeback.

The Ducks had their hands full in this contest. Anaheim put up a CF% of 44.9% and FF% of 43.94% at even strength. Carolina had the edge in shot attempts with 54 to 44 for Anaheim. The Ducks weren’t able to generate a shot on goal in the second period until the 11:32 mark. The Canes generated substantially more quality chances with 22 high danger chances while the Ducks only had 6 during even strength play. The expected goal percentage significantly favored Carolina at 67.64%.

Turnovers were a significant factor in this contest. Carolina scored their first and fourth goals directly off of Anaheim mistakes with the puck. LaCombe is very confident with the puck making good plays, but sometimes it also leads to turnovers in the Anaheim zone. Ross Johnston had a rough night turning over the puck multiple times. He only saw 7 minutes and 24 seconds of ice time. Sam Colangelo and Nikita Nesterenko should both be playing on the fourth line most nights.

Anaheim had been very successful on the power play in the first three contests, but came up empty in their four attempts in this game. They also gave up one power play goal while shorthanded three times.

Dostal hasn’t been off to a great start. In his three starts he had posted a 3.40 GAA and .885 SV%. He has been facing about 30 shots on net per game, but about a third of those have been high danger chances. Anaheim needs to tighten up the defensive play to give him more support. The Ducks have been better at not giving up as much volume as in seasons past, but they are still giving up too many quality chances.

Team Notes/Stats:

Leo Carlsson became just the fifth active Swedish player to record 80 points before the age of 21. The other four players include Rasmus Dahlin (101), Lucas Raymond (96), Elias Peterson (87), and Gabriel Landeskog (85).

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to Chicago to play the Blackhawks at 4PM.

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October 17th, 2025