Ducks Earn A Point Against The Flyers

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks returned home to host the Philadelphia Flyers. Lukas Dostal was in net against David Vladar. Trevor Zegras returned to Anaheim for the first time since he was traded.

The Flyers scored early in the first period. John Carlson turned over the puck behind the Anaheim net and Cameron York found Luke Glendening in the slot for the score. Philadelphia led 1-0 after the first period.

The Flyers added to their lead in the second period just before the eight minute mark when a point shot made it through traffic and Owen Tippett was able to tap the loose puck into the net.

Cutter Gauthier scored in the final minute of the middle frame. He brought the puck from the corner in front and beat Vladar with a backhand shot. The Ducks were down 2-1 after two periods.

Early in the third period Jansen Harkins and Nick Seeler dropped the gloves.

Anaheim applied all kinds of pressure in the third period and eventually Leo Carlsson scored to tie the game with just under two minutes left.

Bonus hockey would be needed to decide this one. In the extra session after some back and forth exchanges Noah Cates would score as the puck would deflect of Jackson LaCombe‘s skate and into the crease.

The play was reviewed by the situation room in Toronto to see if it was offside, but the goal was ultimately upheld. Anaheim lost 3-2, but picked up one point.

Analysis:

The Ducks got down early 1-0 and then found themselves down 2-0 in the second period. Anaheim was able to get a late goal in the middle frame and then carried the play in the third period. Carlsson provided some late heroics with a goal in the final minutes of regulation to force overtime. In the extra session the Flyers won to secure the extra point.

There was a little bit of controversy at the end of this contest. Once Noah Cates scored the fans started to empty the arena as many thought the game was over, but the situation room in Toronto initiated a review. There was a question about whether the play was offside or not. After a lengthly review, the play was upheld as being onside.

At first glance the play appeared to be offside, but none of the angles upon review conclusively showed it was offside to overturn the original call. There was some question about the location of Matvei Michkov‘s skate being on or off the blue line when the puck entered the zone, but that isn’t the key issue. The blue line is treated as a vertical plane as describe din NHL Rule 83, so a player could be onside while in the air above the blue line as long they don’t completely break the plane. No review angle showed Michkov completely past the blue line.

NHL Rule 83 States:

“A player is on-side when either of his skates are in contact with the blue line, or on his own side of the line, at the instant the puck completely crosses the leading edge of the blue line. On his own side of the line shall be defined by a “plane” of the blue line which shall extend from the leading edge of the blue line upwards. If a players’ skate has yet to break the “plane” prior to the puck completely crossing the leading edge, he is deemed to be on-side for the purpose of this off-side rule.”

The real concern is there has been a pattern with Anaheim giving up the first goal and then having to try to rally late in contests. It is exciting to see them comeback from and win, which they almost did against the Flyers. The problem is this isn’t a sustainable strategy especially come playoff time.

Anaheim has also had an issue playing a complete game recently. They have played solid hockey but for only 30-40 at most recently. The Flyers outplayed the Ducks for the first half of this contest and the late goal by Gauthier finally got Anaheim back into this one.

The Ducks also continue to struggle with the power play. They went 1-for-4 on the evening, but that’s because Cutter’s goal came one second after an existing penalty expired against Anaheim.

Anaheim did pick up a crucial point and are still very much on their way to the playoffs. They just need to clean up some aspects of their game if they want to be a serious threat come this postseason.

Team Notes/Stats:

Gauthier scored his team leading 35th goal of the season.

Troy Terry‘s assist on Carlsson’s goal gave him 204 assists with the Ducks. He is now tied with Scott Niedermayer for seventh on the club’s all-time assist list.

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to Utah Friday to play the Mammoth at 7PM.

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March 19th, 2026