VIDEO: Predators Edge Ducks 3-2; Henrique Injured

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks headed out on a brief two game road trip before Thanksgiving. The Ducks first stop was in Nashville.

The Ducks got some good news as Rickard Rakell returned to action. He had been on the IR for a few weeks with a bruised shoulder. John Gibson went in net again Juuse Saros.

Recap

The Ducks took a couple of early back-to-back penalties, which they were able to kill off. The Predators did score shortly after on a goal by Ryan Johansen.

Anaheim pulled even early in the second period. Trevor Zegras would find Rakell in the slot and he then blasted it past Saros.

Later in the period Zegras would be called for cross checking and the Predators made the Ducks pay. Michael Granlund would score on the power play to give Nashville back it’s one goal lead.

Jamie Drysdale would tie the game early in the third period, with a very unique goal. He shot the puck, which bounced off two Nashville players and eventually past Saros. The Ducks got two lucky bounces and would gladly take it as the game was tied once more.

Yakov Trenin would then take the puck away from Ryan Getzlaf and then break in on Gibson. Trenin shot the puck just over Gibson’s glove to give the Predators a 3-2 lead.

The Ducks then had a power play to try to tie the game up one more time, but they couldn’t convert. Late in the game Troy Terry beat Saros, but the puck it the post. Anaheim pulled Gibson in the final moments, but couldn’t score and dropped this one 3-2.

Analysis

The Ducks played a decent game, but penalties did them in. Anaheim started the game playing strong, but then back-to-back penalties slowed their momentum. The Predators didn’t score on the power plays, but were still able to score soon after.

Anaheim also had to play with a shortened bench at beginning of the second period. Henrique was injured in the beginning of the period and wasn’t able to come back. The Ducks were still able to fight back two times to tie the game up.

It looked like the Ducks might at least get a point out of this contest, but Trenin’s individual effort gave the Predators the lead for good. The Ducks even had chances after that, but couldn’t rally for a third time. Anaheim will look to regroup against Colorado on Wednesday.

Team Stats/News:

Adam Henrique left the game with an upper-body injury(hand) and did not return. According to the Athletic’s Eric Stephens, Henrique has a dislocated pinky finger and won’t be available for the game against Colorado. He will be re-evaluated when he comes back to California to see how long he might be out for. Benoit-Olivier Groulx will likely play Thursday in Henrique’s absence.

Terry did not record a point for the first time in 16 games. His game point streak is the third longest in franchise history. Teemu Selanne(17) and Corey Perry(19) are the longest two streaks in team history.

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November 23rd, 2021