Ducks Edge Senators 4-3 In The Shootout

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their homevstand against the Ottawa Senators. Lukas Dostal in net against Linus Ullmark.

Recap

The Ducks would get the first power play with exactly six minutes left to go in the first period. Frank Vatrano one timed a pass from Ryan Strome in the slot high over Ullmark for the early 1-0 lead.

Anaheim was then called for back-to-back penalties with Pavel Mintyukov and Alex Killorn sitting for interefernce and slashing respectively. Brady Tkachuk would score during the 5-on-3 power play to tie the game at one. The Ducks killed off the rest of the penalty time.

Jackson LaCombe would make a one goal lead again in the final seconds of the opening period. Troy Terry tried to score from the side of the net and the rebound came to LaCombe, who backhanded the puck in for the score. Ducks lead 2-1 after the first period.

Ottawa would quickly tie things up in the opening minute of the second period. Tkachuk got to a rebound and beat Dostal to tie things up at two.

Each team would get two power play chances in the middle frame, but neither team converted. They headed to the third period still tied at two.

Anaheim took a 3-2 lead just over four minutes into the third period. Vatrano got to a loose puck in front of the net and shot it low beating Ullmark for his second goal of the game.

Nick Cousins would answer for Ottawa about a one minute later with a goal in front to make a tie again once again. Jansen Harkins and Cousins went at each other a few minutes later. Both got four minutes each of roughing.

There was no more scoring in regulation and bonus hockey would be needed. In overtime, the Ducks had a few quality chances, but didn’t score. It would take a shootout to decide a winner in this contest. Terry and Trevor Zegras scored in the shootout and Dostal stopped the two shots he faced. The Ducks went on to win 4-3.

Analysis

This was a thrilling contest to watch especially in person. There were a couple of momentum shifts towards the end of the first period. The Ducks were able to get the first goal, but then penalty trouble resulted in the Senators tying things up early. LaCombe’s goal gave the Ducks back the momentum in the final seconds of the opening period.

Ottawa gained the momentum back early in the second period with Thachuk’s second goal. Anaheim then took the lead early in the third, but again Ottawa answered to tie things up once more time.

Anaheim looked strong outshooting Ottawa in the first two periods and in overtime. The Ducks had a good sequence in OT where it looked they were going to score and win. During even strength play the Ducks posted a CF of 50.44% and a FF of 49.35%. Both teams scored once on the power play. If the Ducks wouldn’t have gotten into penalty trouble late in the first period, then things might been different with Anaheim winning instead in regulation.

Terry didn’t score in regulation in this contest, but he was a huge factor in this game. He assisted on all three of Anaheim’s goals and scored in the shootout. Vatrano scored twice in this game and his offensive touch is back. He has four goals in his last four games.

Team Notes/Stats:

Troy Terry had his 23rd career multi-assist game passing Chris Pronger, Rickard Rakell, and Bobby Ryan for ninth all time on the second.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday at 7PM.

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December 2nd, 2024