VIDEO: Ducks Double Up Canes; Remain Undefeated At Home

By Kyle Miller

ANAHEIM, Calif — The Ducks offense has finally woken up. After a sluggish start to the season, the club has generated four or more goals in consecutive games. As a result, the team continues to trend in the right direction, and might just be showing that they are not to be trifled with this season.

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Anaheim got off to a quick start in this one. Adam Henrique scored his fifth goal of the season beating Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek on the short-side, just above the blocker. Rickard Rakell fed Henrique on a touch pass allowing the winger to take advantage of the lapse in defense in the Canes zone. Henrique now has three goals in his last three games.

The Ducks continued to harass Carolina with an aggressive forecheck, and a strong possession game in the first. The continued pressure would eventually cause the Canes defense to crack again. Cam Fowler‘s shot from the point would find the outstretched stick of Troy Terry and deflect into the net giving Anaheim a 2-0 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first. Terry’s goal was his first of the year. Anaheim held a 2-0 advantage after the opening period. 

The Ducks continued to keep their foot on the gas pedal entering the second period. It took just 37 seconds later for Jakob Silfverbeg to outwork the Canes defense and Petr Mrazek with a crafty backhander that put the Ducks up 3-0. Carolina’s woes continued just five minutes later, surrendering a short-handed goal to Carter Rowney that gave Anaheim a four-goal lead. Mrazek was pulled after giving up four goals on thirteen shots.

It was looking like the Ducks would cruise in this one, but mistakes would prove to be costly for the Ducks. Over the next six minutes, the Canes would grab two quick goals, bringing them right back into the game. Hampus Lindholm took an interference penalty at the 11:20 mark of the second, which resulted in a power-play goal scored by Erik Haula. A lazy clearing attempt by Derek Grant gifted Carolina their second goal of the night. Canes rookie Haydn Fleury ripped a slap-shot past Ryan Miller to cut the deficit to two. The goal was the first of Fleury’s career.

Tempers would flare late in the second after Josh Manson delivered a massive hit on Erik Haula. Manson was forced to answer the bell a few minutes later after being challenged by Joel Edmundson. Haula left the game with an undisclosed injury. Anaheim ended the second up 4-2.

The third period was relatively uneventful for both sides, minus the Carolina surge near the end of the game. In the final frame, both teams combined for just nine shots. Miller was able to hold it down stopping a flurry of Canes chances with six men on the ice. The Ducks would not relinquish their two-goal advantage and earned the win 4-2.

Analysis

The Ducks are beginning to find their groove on offense, puck possession has been solid for the club, and the team continues to look for great passes up the ice. Overall, the team looks a lot more confident with the puck this season, compared to years past under Randy Carlyle.

Dallas Eakins should be given a lot of credit for the change, even if this is just a small sample size. The aggressive forecheck has caused a lot of turnovers by opposing defensemen, and the addition of a fourth skater to the rush has opened up a lot of passing lanes, and chances on net.

As a result, more pucks are finding their way into the back of the net, and the team is not letting up when the opportunities present themselves. If this style of play continues, expect Anaheim to continue to rack up the wins.

Stats/Notes

Rickard Rakell has not been on the ice for a goal against this season.

Jakob Silfverberg is tied for the league lead in +/- at +9 on the season and played in his 500 regular-season NHL game.

The Ducks are now 4-0 at Honda Center.

What’s Next?

The Ducks end their brief homestand on Sunday against the Calgary Flames at 6:00 PM

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October 19th, 2019