VIDEO: Ducks Earn Point Against Leafs

Photo: AP/Alex Gallardo

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Toronto Maples Leafs. John Gibson was in net against Garret Sparks.

First Period

Toronto’s Nazem Kadri had a good chance in the opening moments of the game, but Gibson was able to make the save. A few minutes later the Leafs would strike first as Patrick Marleau would receive a pass from Jake Gardiner that deflected of his skate and in. It appeared the puck may have hit Josh Manson‘s stick as well before going in the back of the net. There were no penalties in the period and the shots favored Anaheim 12-9, but Toronto held a 1-0 advantage.

Second Period

About three minutes into the period, Rickard Rakell had a solid chance on a redirect, but Sparks made the save. The Ducks nearly tied the game again on another redirect play this time involving Ryan Getzlaf and Pontus Aberg. Getzlaf was able to get the puck to Aberg, who skated behind the defense, but he couldn’t get it past Sparks. In the final minutes of the period, Aberg would blast a rocket that would go through Sparks this time to tie the game. The teams headed to the third period tied 1-1.

Third Period

The Ducks came out with all kinds of pressure in the final period. Just two minutes into the period, Ondrej Kase almost put the puck past as a sprawling Sparks. A few minutes later Kase had another golden opportunity to score with an open net, but his shot hit a skate in front and went wide of the net. Brandon Montour nearly took the lead when his point shot his the post. Anaheim also had a power play in this period, which they had several shots, but couldn’t get the go-ahead goal.

Overtime

Halfway into the overtime Aberg had a chance to end the game but he couldn’t get the puck past Sparks. The Ducks then had a 2-on-1 chance, but John Tavares was backchecking and knocked the puck away. The Leafs went the other way and Morgan Reilly scored to give Toronto the win.

Analysis

After playing a very competitive game against Nashville and then having a lackluster performance in Las Vegas, it was interesting to see what Anaheim team would show up. The former showed up and very easily could have won this game in the third period. The Ducks had 15 shots on goal in the final frame and about 5-6 of those could have been goals. Anaheim was all over Toronto but just couldn’t get a second goal.

Game Notes/Stats

The Ducks are 3-9-4 when losing or tied after two periods of play.

Pontus Aberg scored his sixth goal of the season, which leads Anaheim.

Roster Moves

Sam Carrick was reassigned to San Diego on Thursday.

Injury News

Max Comtois is on a conditioning loan with San Diego.

Patrick Eaves is on the IR with back spasms but could play on Sunday against Colorado.

Cam Fowler had surgery on Friday after taking a puck to the face in the win against Nashville. He could be out 1-2 months.

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November 17th, 2018