VIDEO: Ducks Edge Blues, Silfverberg Injured

By Adam Tenenbaum

The Anaheim Ducks continued their long road trip as they visited the St Louis Blues at Scottrade Center, for the first of the three meetings this season. The Ducks come in 10-10-4, good for 24 points, while the Blues come in 17-6-1, good for 35 points and tops in the Western Conference. The starting goaltenders for the contest were John Gibson for the Ducks and Jake Allen for the Blues.

First Period:

In the first, the Ducks would score first, as Antoine Vermette deflected a puck off his body and into the net to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. Later in the period, Vermette would be guilty of interference as the Blues would get their first power play of the night. They would not score as the Ducks remained up a goal. Shortly after the Blues power play, Joel Edmundson was called for roughing, giving the Ducks their first chance with the extra man. They did not score either as the game remained 1-0 in favor of Anaheim. Late in the period, Patrik Berglund would be guilty of tripping as he took a seat with just 16 seconds left in the first. The Ducks would not score in those 16 seconds, as they ended the first period of play up 1-0. Shots in the first were 12 to 10 in favor of St Louis.

Second Period:

In the second, Kevin Roy would score just 33 seconds into the period, to give the Ducks a power play goal and a 2-0 lead.  Folliowing the goal, Patrik Berglund would head to the box again, this time for interfernce, as the Ducks would get their third power play chance. Once again, they were sucessful as Antoine Vermette got his second goal of the night, extending the lead to 3-0. Later in the period, the Blues would get a power play of their own as Corey Perry was called for tripping. The Ducks would kill it off, as they maintained their 3 goal lead. Following the Blues power play, the Ducks would get a four minute power play as Vladimir Sobotka cut the face of Kevin Bieksa, giving him a double minor for high-sticking. The Ducks would waste the long man advantage as they failed to extend their 3-0 lead. The horn would sound a minute later, endind the second, as the Ducks lead 3-0 after two periods of play. Shots in the second were 16 to 13 in favor of the Blues.

Third Period:

In the third, the Ducks would get another power play as Brayden Schenn was guilty of delay of game. Once again, the Ducks did not score as the Blues clung on to life trailing 3-0. Later in the period, Cam Fowler would be guilty of slashing as the Blues would get their fourth power play of the night. Once again, the Blues power play would come up empty as the Blues searched for signs of life down three goals. About a minute later, they finally got on the board as Kyle Brodziak found the back of net, cutting the Ducks lead to 3-1. Late in the period with the goalie pulled, the Blues would score again, as Kyle Brodziak potted his second goal of the night, cutting the lead to just one. In the end, the Ducks would hold on after a scare, and would win the game 3-2 over the Blues, to snap their losing streak. Shots in the third were 11 in 7 in favor of St Louis.

Analysis:

After a poor performance by the team on Monday, the Ducks responded well tonight. Their effort was what you want to see from them, as they try to overcome all the injuries to several key players. The special teams set the tone for the Ducks, as they scored a pair of power play goals, as well as killing off all four of the Blues power play chances. John Gibson was rock solid in net as always as he stopped 37 of 39 shots to give the Ducks a chance to win the game. Youngster Kevin Roy was impressive as he scored a goal, and assisted on another as he had his first multi-point game of his young career. All around solid game for the Ducks, who got a good start and play solid defensively majority of the game as well. A little bit of a scare at the end, but mostly a strong game from the Ducks.

Game Team/Notes:

Jakob Silfverberg sustained an upper-body injury in the second period and did not play in the third as a precaution.

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November 30th, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: #ducknspucks, Anaheim Ducks, antoine vermette, Brayden Schenn, corey perry, john gibson, Kevin Roy