Ducks Earn A Point In Chicago

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks started their road trip in Chicago against the Blackhawks. Lukas Dostal was in net against Spencer Knight. Anaheim with a 11-7 lineup as Ian Moore was in as the 7th defensemen and Ross Johnston was a healthy scratch.

There was no scoring in the first and second periods of this contest. Frank Nazar scored about halfway through the third period to get Chicago on the board first. Wyatt Kaiser one timed a pass from Nazar which hit the post and then Nazar was at the side of the net to tap the puck in.

Chicago was called for a delay of game penalty with just under two minutes to go in regulation and Mason McTavish scored to tie the game up. He scored from the side of the net as he roofed the puck over Knight.

Overtime would be needed to determine a winner in this one. Ryan Donato would score in the extra session to give Chicago the 2-1 win. Connor Bedard took a shot, which Dostal blocked, but the puck got away from him behind the net. Bedard got to the loose puck and found Donato in front for an easy score.

Analysis:

The Ducks earned a point, but deserved a better fate. Anaheim had a strong opening period outshooting the Blackhawks 16-10. They also had two power plays in the opening period, but couldn’t convert. The Ducks rattled off the first six shots in the second period, but still couldn’t find the back of the net.

Anaheim had gone scoreless on the power play(0-for-4) until the final two minutes when McTavish was able to score on the fifth power play to tie the game. The Ducks posted a CF% of 52.34% and FF% of 51.16% at even strength. They held a slight edge with 56 shot attempts to 51 for Chicago at even strength. Anaheim had several post shots in this game and Knight made quality saves throughout this contest. Both proved to be the difference in the contest.

Head Coach Joel Quenneville went with a 11-7 lineup. Ian Moore played on defense as the 7th defensemen and offensively on the fourth line. He was able to show his versatility in this contest. He had a few shots on net and generated some scoring chances.

The lone regulation goal by Chicago came after Radko Gudas lost his stick at the blue line. He was able to get back to the net to cover Nazar, but without his stick there wasn’t much he could do to stop the puck.

Leo Carlsson has been playing like he is on a mission. He drew several penalties early in this contest. He does need to remember he doesn’t have to put the entire game on his shoulders when attacking. Sometimes he will try to make a play by himself instead of waiting and/or passing to his teammates, which has led to odd man rushes for the opposition. This style of play proved costly in the overtime as he couldn’t get back to help defend when Chicago scored the game winner.

Dostal played an amazing game. The first goal wasn’t his fault(see above). The game winning goal he will want back because he wasn’t able to hang onto the puck, but the Ducks gave up a 3-on-1 with McTavish as the only player left to defend. The teams turned the overtime into a race track trading chances and the Anaheim players were gassed on the final sequence.

Also has anyone seen Mikael Granlund, Troy Terry, and Frank Vatrano? The trio have yet to score a goal this season. Granlund and Terry have registered assists, but they need to start hitting the back of the net as well. The Ducks have been held to just one goal in three of their five games this season.

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to Nashville to play the Predators on Tuesday at 5 PM.

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Oct 19th, 2025