VIDEO: Gibson, Ducks Blank Caps

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks closed out their homestand against the Washington Capitals. John Gibson went in net against Braden Holtby.

First Period

The Ducks went on an early power play and Rickard Rakell found Adam Henrique in center ice for the opening score. Henrique took the pass and fired the puck in the top right corner for the early advantage. Later in the period Hampus Lindholm would wrist a point shot toward the net and it would deflect past Holtby. The Ducks had a 2-0 lead after the opening twenty.

Second Period

The Ducks extended their lead as Ryan Getzlaf found Rakell at the face-off circle to the right of Holtby. Rakell was able to fire the puck over the glove hand to make it 3-0 Ducks. Holtby was pulled from the game. Washington tried to make a push after the goalie change, but Anaheim still led 3-0 after two periods.

Third Period

The Ducks played shutdown defense in the final frame. The Capitals had one power play, but couldn’t convert. In the final minutes, Washington pulled their goalie and Nick Ritchie was able to cash in with an empty net tally to give Anaheim a 4-0 win.

Analysis

John Gibson and the Ducks defense continue to roll. The red-hot Capitals power play came up empty on three chances. The Ducks frustrated the Capitals as they turned over the puck 19 times. Anaheim also blocked 23 shots. Gibson made timely saves and was outstanding shutting down Alex Ovechkin and company.

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March 7th, 2018