Ducks Fly Past Kraken

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Seattle Kraken for their last game before the Olympic break. Lukas Dostal was in net against Philipp Grubauer.

Cutter Gauthier put the Ducks on the board first just about four minutes into this contest. He one-timed a shot from the right face-off circle and it beat Grubauer low.

Jacob Trouba made it a 2-0 lead late in the first period. He scored with a one-timer from the right period.

The Ducks held the 2-0 advantage at the end of the first and all the way through the second period. There was no scoring in the middle frame.

Alex Killorn scored in the opening seconds of the third period to make it a 3-0 lead. He scored along the goal line at the edge of the right circle. He threw the puck on net and it beat Grubauer low.

Ross Johnston then made it a 4-0 game with just over six minutes to go. Grubauer misplayed the puck behind the net. Jansen Harkins got to the puck before Grubauer could recover and found Johnston for the easy tap in goal with a wide open net.

Jordan Eberle scored on a redirection with just over four minutes left. Tye Kartye then scored with Grubauer pulled. Seattle was down two goals with two and half minutes to go, but wouldn’t score again. Ducks won 4-2.

Analysis:

This was a similar game like the previous one against Vegas. The Ducks got an early lead 2-0 in the first period and then doubled it in the third. Seattle was able to get a couple of goals in the third period to make it interesting, but they weren’t able to tie up the game. Anaheim was able to get off to another strong start and then hang on for the win in the third period.

At even strength the Ducks player another solid game. They put up 64 shot attempts to 58 for Seattle. Anaheim posted a CF% of 52.46% and FF% of 50.57% at even strength.

The Ducks had three power plays and didn’t convert, however, Gauthier scored seconds after the first power play expired. The Kraken didn’t get one power play in this game. The Ducks played a very disciplined hockey game.

Jackson LaCombe and Jansen Harkins were key factors in this contest as they both had two assists. LaCombe assisted on Gauthier’s and Killorn’s goals. Harkins got his assists on the other two goals by Trouba and Johnston. Harkins was in the right place at the right time picking up a fumbled puck behind the net and finding Johnston for the easy empty net score.

Gauthier continues to lead the way for Anaheim with 25 goals. He has five goals in his last eight games. He also has recorded at least one point in seven of his last eight games. Maybe Philly fans will want him back (Not!).

Trouba is having a solid season. He leads all Anaheim defensemen with nine goals and has 25 points on the season.

And the end of the second period Jacob Melanson hit Troy Terry in the face knocking him down to the ground. Melanson received two minutes for roughing and a 10 minute misconduct. We will see if NHL Player Safety reviews the play today for any supplemental discipline.

Team Notes/Stats:

The Ducks are one point behind Vegas and Edmonton for first place in the Pacific Division.

Anaheim is 18-0-0 when leading after two periods. They are 12-0-0 when scoring first at home this season.

The Ducks won their 30th game this season in 56 games played. That’s the fastest Anaheim has done this since the 2014-15 season.

LaCombe has a career-high 31 assists this season. He is one of just three Anaheim defenseman with 30+ assists in a season in the past 10 years, joining Cam Fowler (three times) and Josh Manson (once).

Gauthier leads the Ducks with 25 goals. He is just the third Ducks player to reach that mark in the last six years. Troy Terry and Frank Vatrano are the only other two to score 25 goals in the past six seasons for Anaheim.

What’s Next?

The Ducks will host the Oilers on February 25th at 7 PM.

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February 4th, 2026