VIDEO: Ducks Get Roughed Up In Vegas

Photo: AP/John Locher

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks squared off with the Golden Knights in Las Vegas for the final game of 2019. John Gibson was in net against Marc-Andre Fleury.

The Ducks would strike first in this contest as Jakob Silfverberg would try to score from the side of the Vegas net causing a scramble for a loose puck in front. Korbinian Holzer would sneak in behind several Golden Knight players and chip the puck in over Fleury.

Vegas would respond after Erik Gudbranson would turn over the puck in front of the Anaheim net, Mark Stone would get to the puck and fire it over the shoulder of Gibson. Vegas would add another goal in the final minute of the period. It appeared Gibson covered the puck, but it ended up behind him near the crease after Vegas crashed the net. Josh Manson would skate behind Gibson and accidentally hit it into the Anaheim net.

Podcast: Anaheim Gulls

Anaheim came out with some energy in the second period and was able to keep the Golden Knights at bay for most of the period. It looked like the Ducks were going to be able to get to the third period still down by one goal, but another turnover would cost Anaheim. Reilly Smith would get the puck after an Adam Henrique turnover and would backhand it over a diving Gibson.

In the third period, the Ducks had an early power play and Max Comtois almost scored at the side of the net. Later in the period, Jonathan Marchessault would be awarded a penalty shot and he would convert. It appeared he may have drew the puck backward just prior to taking the shot, but the goal was allowed to stand. Silfverberg would get one back for Anaheim, but Vegas later added an empty-net goal to make it 5-2.

In the final seconds, Comtois and Shea Theodore went at it. Comtois took exception to a hit by Theodore and they dropped the gloves. The two had been jawing at each other throughout the contest. A frustrating ending as the Ducks lost 5-2.

Analysis

After having a solid performance against Vegas last week, the Ducks laid an egg in this contest. In the first period alone, the Ducks gave up 22 shots against. They could have escaped with a tie score, but Manson’s mishap led to a Vegas goal. Anaheim did respond in the second period and play much better, but a late goal in the period made the hill steeper to climb. A questionable penalty shot and questionable penalty shot goal didn’t help Anaheim’s cause either. However, in the end, bad turnovers and the inability to stop Vegas’ forecheck did Anaheim in.

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to Arizona to face the Coyotes on Thursday at 6 PM PT.

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January 1st, 2020