VIDEO: Ducks Can’t Keep Oilers Down, Lose Again

By: Matthew Garcia

Three days ago Round 2 opened up at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The Ducks managed to battle back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period with goals from Patrick Eaves, and Jakob Silfverberg. But it would not last very long as Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson would pot his second of the game to lead the Oilers to victory as that would ultimately stand as the game-winning goal. Last night the Ducks looked to draw even in the series. The starting goalies would be Cam Talbot for Edmonton, and John Gibson for Anaheim.

Period 1:

Edmonton would strike quick, and early as defenseman Andrej Sekera would fire a slap shot from the boards that would sneak past the blocker of Gibson and into the net just 65 seconds into the game. The Ducks would get into a little bit of penalty trouble near the halfway mark of the opening period as Josh Manson would sit for two minutes on a holding call. The Ducks who allowed two power play goals on five chances in-game one would be successful in killing off Edmonton’s first power play opportunity of game two. The Ducks looked to draw even as they would not allow the Oilers to play with the puck very much in the first period only allowing three shots on goal. Anaheim would get their first power play of the evening as Mark Letestu would be whistled for goaltender interference. Edmonton would stand tall on the penalty kill and successfully kill off the power play of Anaheim holding onto the 1-0 lead. The first period horn would sound and the Oilers would head to the intermission with a 1-0 lead.

Period 2:

The Ducks would find themselves heading back to the penalty kill early as Korbinian Holzer would head to the box on a holding call against Zack Kassian. The Ducks would come very close to killing off the penalty but former Ducks Patrick Maroon would be left alone in front of the net and would have a shot from Jordan Eberle go off his skate and past the glove hand of Gibson to give the Oilers a 2-0 lead just seven minutes into the second period. Anaheim would get a chance to get to within one as Kassian would be sent to the box for holding against Andrew Cogliano, but the Ducks would not be able to convert on the second man advantage of the night. It wouldn’t take long for Anaheim to get their third power play of the evening as Darnell Nurse would head to the penalty box just 32 seconds after their previous penalty expired on a hi-sticking call against Jared Boll, this time the Ducks would get on the board as a shot from Silfverberg would find the top corner of the net on the glove side of Talbot to get the Ducks to within one. The second period horn would sound and the Oilers would head to the locker room with a one goal lead still intact.

Period 3:

The Ducks head into the final period of play down by a single goal and would look to draw even. Anaheim would get that chance at the midway point of the final frame as Kris Russell would get caught holding the stick of Rickard Rakell and would be sent to the box for two minutes. The Ducks would not be able to draw even on the fourth power play of the evening despite putting up numerous shots on goal, but none of them would be able to sneak past Talbot. Anaheim would find themselves on the wrong side of the eight ball late in the period as Brandon Montour would be put in the box on an interference call against Benoit Pouliot, the Ducks would be able to kill off the penalty to remain within one goal with just under four minutes to play. Anaheim would pull their goalie with under a minute to play in the game, they would get the best chance late in the period as a puck would get re-directed but would go just wide of the net. Edmonton would clear the puck and the final horn would sound securing the 2-1 victory and the 2-0 lead in the series.

Final Score: Edmonton-2 Anaheim-1

Despite the late third period surge, the Ducks would find themselves in a deep hole as they would be heading to Edmonton down 0-2 in the series. Cam Talbot was the X factor in this game as he would turn aside 39 of 40 shots on goal last night to help secure the win for the Oilers. Anaheim got themselves into more penalty trouble in this game and it would prove to be the deciding factor due to the PP goal by Maroon early in the second period. Silfverberg would remain red-hot for the Ducks squad as he would pot his fourth goal of the playoffs. If the Ducks are to climb back in this series they will need to stay out of the penalty box as the Edmonton power play has burned them both games for game-winning goals. After tonight it may be possible to see Jonathan Bernier get the nod in net for game three in Edmonton on Sunday.

What’s Next?

Game 3, Anaheim @ Edmonton Sunday night at 4 PM PT. Join us at El Ranchito in Orange for our watch party! The address is 182 S. Orange St., in the Orange Circle. The fun starts at 3 PM!

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April 29th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks, edmonton oilers