Ducks Edge Jets 4-3 in Overtime

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks started a quick back-to-back road trip in Winnipeg. John Gibson was in net against Connor Hellebuyck. It was Gibson’t first game since December 23rd, 2024 when he took a stick to his face through his mask.

Recap:

The Jets scored just 33 seconds into this one. Gabriel Vilardi stole the puck from Radko Gudas in the corner and found Kyle Connor at the side of the net. Gibson committed to him and Connor found Mark Scheifele in the slot for the easy score.

Winnipeg then took a 2-0 lead in the final minutes of the opening period. Adam Lowry scored on a 2-on-1 rush to put the Jets up by two.

The Ducks answered with just about one minute left in the period. Gudas took a slap shot and Leo Carlsson redirected the shot. The puck hit the post then hit Hellebuyck’s backside and went in. Anaheim trailed 2-1 after the first period.

Troy Terry scored about seven minutes in the middle frame to tie the game up. Ryan Strome found Terry in the left face-off circle and he one timed the pass low for the score.

The Ducks got into penalty trouble in the second half of the period, but were able to kill off two Jets power plays. The teams were tied at two after two periods.

The Jets scored with just under three minutes to go. Alex Iafallo got to a puck behind the Anaheim and scored on a wrap around just beating Gibson to the post.

Radko Gudas tied the game up once again with just under two minutes to go. He took a slap shot just inside the blue line and it found its way to the back of the net. Anaheim had pulled Gibson with a delayed penalty called on Winnipeg.

Bonus hockey would be needed as the teams were tied at three at the end of regulation. In overtime, Terry led a 2-on-1 rush up ice and took a wrist shot beating Hellbuyck stick side for the win.

Analysis:

The Ducks got off to a bad start immediately giving up a goal in the opening moments of this contest. They then gave up another goal late in the first period and things didn’t look good early on for Anaheim. However, the Ducks got a goal late in the first period to keep the game close. Anaheim then got another goal in the second period to tie the game up. The Jets went ahead with less than three minutes to go and the Ducks answered within about a minute. Anaheim was able to rally down 2-0 and 3-2 to come back and win in overtime.

Anaheim outshot Winnipeg 10 to 7 in the first period, but then the Jets outshot the Ducks 21 to 12 in the second and third periods. Winnipeg posted a CF% of 60% and FF% of 56.41% at even strength. They also put up 66 shot attempts to 44 for the Ducks during even strength.

Anaheim did win the special teams battle as they shut down the top ranked Jets power play in both their chances. The Ducks didn’t have a power play chance in this contest. There was a delayed penalty called on Winnipeg in the final minutes of regulation, but Gudas scored during the delayed penalty, which erased the minor penalty by rule.

The Ducks have been playing some nail biting thrilling hockey as of result. They pulled out three wins in a row all in the final minutes of regulation or overtime. They also came back from behind to win two of their last three games. The comeback kids are alive and well in Anaheim.

Team Notes/Stats:

The Anaheim Ducks have won three straight games in a row against top teams in the league.

The Ducks are 15-0-1 when scoring three or more goals this season. They have four multi-goal comeback wins this season, only second to Seattle (5).

Carlsson scored his 20th career and became the youngest Ducks player (20 years, 7 days) in team history to reach the mark. Mason McTavish held the record previously (20 years, 257 days).

Terry scored his team leading 12 and 13 goals extending his point streak to four games. Ryan Strome picked up an assist on the play extending his point streak to three games.

Terry scored his fifth career overtime goal and tied Scott Niedermayer for the fifth most in franchise history. Terry also recorded his 15th career three point game tying Andy McDonald for seventh all time in Ducks history.

Gibson picked up an assist on the overtime winner, which is his seventh career point. He is second all time in Ducks goalie history behind Jonas Hiller (8).

Frank Vatrano played in his 600th NHL game.

What’s Next?

The Ducks head to Edmonton to play the Oilers tomorrow at 6PM.

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January 2nd, 2025