VIDEO: Ducks Fall To Predators

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The new look Anaheim Ducks hosted the Nashville Predators. After seeing Josh Manson being traded last week, the Ducks also traded away Kodie Curran, Nicolas Deslauriers, Hampus Lindholm, and Rickard Rakell.

John Gibson was in net against Juuse Saros.

Recap

Sam Carrick and Tanner Jeannot dropped the gloves early in this game.

The Ducks would score first in this one as Derek Grant got to a rebound and put it past Saros.

A few minutes later, the Predators had a 2-on-1 and thought they scored, but Gibson kept the puck out.

Roman Josi scored late in the first period to make it a 1-1 game.

The Predators went on the power play early in the second period. Gibson lost sight of the puck at one side of the net. Ryan Johansen was open at the other side for an easy tap in goal.

Halfway through the second period Troy Terry tied things up at two. He shot a laser that beat Saros over the shoulder.

The Predators started to pull away in the beginning of the third period. Max Comtois tried to pass the puck to Jamie Drysdale as they looked to exit their zone. Filip Forsberg stole the puck and broke in alone on Gibson scoring to make it 3-2. Nashville went on another power play and Matt Duchene scored to make it 4-2. He made a fancy move by putting the puck in-between his legs and shot it just inside the far post.

Grant would score his second of the game to get the Ducks back within one. A point shot by Kevin Shattenkirk hit the boards and bounced to Grant at the side of the net for an easy tap in goal.

Duchene would score again about a minute later on the power play to make it a 5-3 game. The Ducks pulled Gibson for the extra attacker and Forsberg scored to make it a 6-3 final.

Analysis (Stats By Natural Stat Trick):

The Ducks were able to hang with the Preds for the first 40 minutes of the game, but then ran out of steam in the third period. Anaheim played a decent 5-on-5 game posting a 55.93 CF% and 53.19 FF%. The Preds edged the Ducks with 31 shots on goal to 29.

The issue is this game came down to special teams. Nashville was able to score three times in five extra man situations. Anaheim had four chances of their own on the power play and couldn’t convert on any of them. It might be tough sledding on the penalty kill for the rest of the season without Lindholm and Manson.

Team Notes/Stats:

Terry scored his 30th goal on the season.

Trevor Zegras earned two assists bringing his season total to 30. He tied Cam Fowler for the most by a Ducks rookie franchise history.

Jakob Silfverberg continues to be on the IR and the team announced he has a blood clot in his leg. It doesn’t appear to be serious and he should hopefully be out for only a few weeks.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday at 7 PM PT.

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March 21st, 2022