Ducks Come Up Empty Against The Panthers; Lundestrom Injured

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks finished their road trip against the Florida Panthers. John Gibson was in net against Spencer Knight.

Recap:

The Ducks went on the power play with just over seven minutes left in the period when Eetu Luostarinen slashed Leo Carlsson. Anaheim did not score on the power play.

With about four and a half minutes left in the period, Sam Reinhart checked Isac Lundestrom into the boards with a knee on knee collision. Reinhart was given a five minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct. Lundestrom went to the locker room and was done for the night.

The Ducks did not score on the five minute major power play which carried over into the opening minute of the second period.

The Panthers got two power plays early in the second period, but did not score on either man advantage. Jesper Boqvist scored halfway through the second period to make it a 1-0 game. Gibson got a piece of the shot, but it still trickled past him into the net. Florida led 1-0 after two periods.

Florida added to their lead early in the third period. Anton Lundell created a turnover at center ice and then on the counter rush beat Gibson low for the score.

The Ducks pulled Gibson for the extra attacker late in the third period and Gustav Forsling scored into the empty net. The Panthers went on to win 3-0.

Analysis:

Another game and another scoreless outing for the Ducks. Anaheim has been blanked in three of their last four contests. The Ducks had a huge opportunity to score first and take control this contest with a two minute and then a five minute power play in the first period. Instead the Ducks came up empty on the man advantage which has been too often the case lately.

The Ducks outshot the Panthers 11 to 10 in the first period, but then it was all Panthers afterward. Florida put up 22 shots along in the second period to just 9 for Anaheim. In the third Florida outshot Anaheim 13 to 9. The Panthers had 11 high dangerous chances to 7 for the Ducks. Florida had an expected goals for of 68.21% to 31.79% for Anaheim. Gibson played solid, but he let in two goals he would have liked back.

The lineup changes that worked against Tampa Bay in the previous contest did not work in this matchup. Head Coach Greg Cronin will need to figure something out moving forward with Lundestrom likely out for a while. Trevor Zegras could be back soon as it’s been nearly six weeks since his surgery. The Ducks will get a chance at redemption against the Panthers next Tuesday.

Team Notes/Stats:

The Ducks went 1-4-1 on the six game road trip and were shut out three times.

There was no update on Lundestrom after the contest. He will be checked out when the team returns to Anaheim.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Panthers Tuesday at 7PM.

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January 19th, 2025