Ducks Take Down The Oilers 5-3

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Edmonton Oilers in the second of back-to-back matinee games at home. Lukas Dostal was in net for the second day in a row against

Recap:

The Oilers got the first goal on the power play just about eight minutes into the game. Jacob Trouba was called for “holding” on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl scored on the man advantage.

Edmonton then made it 2-0 just over halfway through the period. Viktor Arvidsson started a rush out of the penalty box and Evan Bouchard would score for the slot. A rough reminder of the goal Joel Farabee scored the day before right after the penalty kill.

The Ducks did get on the board before the first period was over. Cutter Gauthier scored from the left circle with a wrist shot. The Ducks went on the power play with just over a minute left when Troy Stecher was called for a double minor for high-sticking. Anaheim didn’t score with the man advantage and was down 2-1 after the first 20 minutes.

Anaheim didn’t score with the remainder of the penalty time from Stecher and even got another power play early in the middle frame, but could not convert. Edmonton then got a power play and scored to make it a 3-1 lead. Draisaitl scored his second of the game with a one-timer from the right face off circle.

Drew Helleson scored to pull Anaheim within one with just under eight minutes left in the middle frame. He took a point shot that deflected on the way to the net and beat Pickard for the goal.

Robby Fabbri then tied the game with just one two minutes to go in the middle frame. Mason McTavish found Fabbri in the slot and he buried the one timer for the tying goal.

In the third period, Ryan Strome appeared to score with less than three minutes to go, but the play was initially not called a goal. Upon further review, Strome did score at the near post with the puck crossing the goal line completely before being kicked out of the net by Pickard.

Edmonton pulled their goalie for the extra attacker in the final minutes and McTavish scored in the empty net to seal the victory for Anaheim.

Analysis:

This was an exciting contest from start to finish. The Oilers led by two goals twice in this contest, once up 2-0 and then up 3-1, but it wasn’t enough as the Ducks rallied with four straight goals to win 5-3.

The Ducks had to battle the Oilers and questionable calls to prevail in this contest. Derek Ryan elbowed Jansen Harkins in the opening minutes of this contest and the penalty was not called. A few minutes later, Trouba was called for a penalty because he touched McDavid. Naturally the Oilers then scored on the ensuing power play. Special teams continue to be a problem for Anaheim. The Ducks went 0-for-5 on the power play and then gave up two goals while on the penalty kill.

Anaheim did play a better game at even strength and outscored Edmonton 4 to 1. The Ducks had 46 shot attempts to 42 for the Oilers. Anaheim posted a CF% of 52.27% and FF% of 55.56% in even strength situations. The Ducks had 12 high dangerous chances to just 5 for the Oilers. Anaheim was able to limit Edmonton to just 23 shots on goal.

It was great to see Anaheim bounce back to beat Edmonton after losing to Philadelphia the day before. The best part was the silence from the Oilers fans at the end of the game, especially those who were sitting next to me talking trash for the majority of the game. Safe travels home to Edmonton and Happy New Year. I always say don’t talk trash until the game is over.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday at 5PM.

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December 29th, 2024