VIDEO: Ducks Can’t Stop Avalanche Of Goals

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks wrapped up their brief two game road trip in Colorado. John Gibson was in net once again and squared off against Darcy Kuemper.

Adam Henrique was out with an upper-body(hand) injury. Derek Grant started the game in his spot with Ryan Getzlaf and Troy Terry. Benoit-Olivier Groulx slotted in on the fourth line.

Recap 

The game started out with Nicolas Deslauriers and Kurtis MacDermid squaring off just a few minutes into the game.

About a minute later, Mikko Rantanen was called for interference. During the power play Jamie Drysdale took a point shot that was blocked and Rickard Rakell couldn’t get the rebound past Kuemper. Sonny Milano then followed up and was able to knock the loose puck into the net.

Kuemper appeared to have an issue with skate on the play and had to go to the locker room to get it fixed. He would return shortly.

During the period both Terry and Rakell had to go to the locker room. Terry appeared to be shaken up after a check. Rakell blocked a shot around the knee area, which appeared to sting him. Both would return a few minutes later to the game.

Cale Makar would score late in the period to make it a 1-1 game after 20 minutes of play.

At the start the second period, Kuemper tripped as he tried to skate on the ice. Jonas Johansson replaced him for the remainder of the game.

The Avalanche scored early in the period to take 2-1 lead on a goal by Alex Newhook. They then extended the league to 3-1 when Nicolas Aube-Kubel scored in the middle of the period. Each time the Ducks killed off a penalty, but the Avs scored shortly after. The Ducks trailed 3-1 after two periods.

To start the third period the Ducks were down by two players. Anaheim was called for two penalties at the very end of the second period. Nazem Kadri would score to make it 4-1 Avs. Later in the period Valeri Nichushkin would add another to make it 5-1.

The Ducks would get a late power play and Milano would score his second of the game. That is the closet Anaheim would get and lost this one 5-2.

Analysis:

The Ducks started this game with a bang and looked good early on. Milano was able to get the Ducks on the board early. Anaheim could have went up 2-0 when Benoit-Olivier Groulx almost scored shorthanded. Instead the Avs got a late goal to tie things up before the period ended.

From the second period on, it was all Colorado. The Ducks were called for four penalties in the second period alone. Anaheim killed off an early penalty, but then Colorado scored shortly after. The Ducks then killed another penalty off in the middle of the period, but again the Avs scored afterward. The Ducks couldn’t anything going offensively and were outshot 17-5.

The Ducks did try to fight back in the third period, but an early goal by the Avs put this game out of reach. Anaheim did look good on the power play scoring two out of three times. The penalty kill was tested being down seven times and only gave up one goal when they were down by two players. The Ducks actually won the special teams battle in this one, but they were dominated during even strength play after the first period.

If Henrique is not able to go next game, then Sam Steel or Jakob Silfverberg should take his spot on the line with Getzlaf and Terry. Grant needs to remain on the fourth line and should not be playing a top 6 role.

Team Stats/News:

Ducks scored twice on the power play. They are 27.9% efficient, which is 4th best in the NHL.

The Ducks had won 8 games in a row. They have now lost 3 in a row.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Senators on Friday at 1 PM PT.

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, Ducks gear, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

November 25th, 2021