VIDEO: Comeback In The Capital

Photo: Nick Wass – AP (Headline courtesy of @ib505a)

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks finished their road trip in Washington D.C. against the Capitals. John Gibson was in net against Braden Holtby.

First Period

The Capitals went to work right away in this contest as Nicklas Backstrom scored just 41 seconds into the opening period. A few minutes later Chandler Stephenson would score on a deflection off a skate and the Caps had an early 2-0 lead. Ryan Getzlaf would answer and get the Ducks on the board as he knocked the puck of Orlov’s stick and back into the net. Tom Wilson would score later on a power play and Washington has 3-1 after the opening 20 minutes. Gibson was pulled after the third goal was scored by the Capitals.

Second Period

The Capitals continued to pour it on scoring two more times. Evgeny Kuznetsov scored and the Ducks challenged the play for offsides. It appeared to be a close play, but the referees deemed it was onside. The Capitals would then extend the lead to 5-1 as the puck deflected off Nick Dowd’s skate and into the net. Anaheim would then start a comeback. Andrew Cogliano and Rickard Rakell would score goals just under a minute apart. Suddenly the Capitals four-goal lead was cut in half by the end of the period. The Ducks were still down at the end of the period, but not out.

Third Period

Washington got into penalty trouble being whistled three times in the first 10 times of the period. The Ducks cashed in on two of those power play with goals by Pontus Aberg and Hampus Lindholm. Suddenly with just over half a period to play, it was a brand new game all tied up at five. The Capitals would get a power play as Kiefer Sherwood was called for boarding. As the penalty expired, Sherwood joined the rush with Getzlaf towards the net. Sherwood would try to center the puck to Getzlaf, who was able to redirect the puck towards Aberg. Holtby sprawled out on the ice towards the puck, but Aberg picked it up and tucked in the net behind him for the score. The Ducks then held on in the final minutes and won 6-5.

Analysis

At the beginning of this game, nothing seemed to go right for Anaheim. The Ducks got down early and a few bounces didn’t go their way. Early in the second period, it was 5-1 Capitals and it seemed like the Ducks were done. But Anaheim battled back getting two quick goals to get some momentum going in their favor before the final frame. And in the third period, it was the Capitals that were getting called for penalties and the Ducks made them pay. This was beyond a huge win for Anaheim. The Ducks finished the road trip on a four-game winning streak and hopefully this game will create even more momentum for the Ducks are they return home for the next four games.

Game Notes/Stats

The Ducks became the 19th team in NHL history to overcome a four-goal deficit on the road to win in regulation and first since Colorado accomplished this feat on March 3, 1999, at Florida. (Stats per NHL Public Relations).

Pontus Aberg had two goals in this contest and leads the team with nine goals.

Ryan Miller earned the win and is tied with John Vanbiesbrouck with most wins by an American goalie (374).

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December 3rd, 2018