Johnston Records A Gordie Howe Hat Trick As The Ducks Take Down The Predators

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their road trip in Nashville against the Predators. Lukas Dostal was in net against Juuse Saros. Chris Kreider was out due to an illness. All the left wingers moved up in the lineup and Ross Johnston drew back in on the 4th line. Radko Gudas and Drew Helleson also switched places on the blue line.

The Ducks opened the scoring about nine minutes in with Ross Johnston converting on a shot from the side of the net in the first period. It was the first time the Ducks scored first in a contest this season.

The Predators answered back later in the period. Spencer Stastney took a shot from the right circle and Tyson Jost redirected it over Dostal. The teams were tied at one after the opening period.

The Ducks regained the lead about five minutes into the middle frame. Jacob Trouba took a shot, which Saros blocked, but Leo Carlsson was able to get to the rebound and score.

The Predators then answered back within a few minutes. Roman Josi took a shot and Filip Forsberg redirected the shot from the slot to beat Dostal.

Anaheim then scored two goals within about two minutes to take a 4-2 lead after two periods. Cutter Gauthier scored on a 2-on-1 with a wrist shot that beat Saros glove side. Mason McTavish then found Beckett Sennecke in front and he was able to tap the pass low past Saros.

The Ducks then made it 5-2 just over halfway through the third period. Ryan Poehling threw the puck towards the net from the goal line along the boards and Troy Terry was in front to tap it in.

About two minutes later Johnston and Michael McCarron dropped the gloves.

Then with just over five minutes to go Frank Vatrano and Ozzy Wiesblatt decide to give it a go.

There was no more scoring in this one and Anaheim went on to win 5-2.

Analysis:

Finally the Ducks scored first in a contest this season and they never looked back. The Predators did fight back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits, but the Ducks scored the next three goals en route to the 5-2 victory.

At even strength the Ducks posted a CF% of 47.52% and a FF% of 47.44%. The Predators held a 53-44 shot attempt advantage. Anaheim did put 33 shots on goal to 26 for Nashville.

Anaheim did go 0-for-5 on the power play (including a 5-on-3) as they definitely missed Kreider being out of the lineup. The Ducks weren’t able to generate many quality scoring chances around the net without him.

Cutter Gauthier had a solid night with a goal and an assist in nearly 16 minutes of ice time. He also had three shots on net and was a +2. Troy Terry finally got the monkey off his back and scored his first goal of the season. He also had three shots on net in about 18 minutes of ice time.

It was a career game for big Ross Johnston. He recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, two assists, and a fight. He scored on the first goal of the game and then assisted on Anaheim’s 4th and 5th goals of this contest.

Team Notes/Stats:

Ross Johnston played in his 250th game. He scored a goal and had two assists. His first multi-point game came on February 27th, 2022 against the New York Islanders.

Radko Gudas recorded his 200th assist on Johnston’s goal in the first period.

The Ducks are 3-0-0 when scoring more than one goal this season. They are 0-2-1 when they only score one goal.

What’s next?

Ducks take on the Boston Bruins Thursday at 4PM.

 

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October 21st, 2025