Ducks Fall Short To Canucks; Gibson Injured

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks faced the Vancouver Canucks for the second of back-to-back games. John Gibson was in net against Kevin Lankinen.

Recap:

The Ducks got off to another slow start. The Canucks outshot 7-1 in the opening five minutes of the first period. Gibson held the fort down early, especially with a fantastic behind the back save on Brock Boeser early on.

Anaheim did score the only goal in the opening period. Sam Colangelo redirected a shot by Cutter Gauthier past Lankinen. The Ducks led 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.

Vancouver tied things up early in the second period. The Canucks got a power play and Jake DeBrusk got behind the Ducks defense scoring stick side on Gibson. The Canucks took the lead halfway through the second period with a goal by Teddy Blueger.

Drew O’Connor collided with Gibson with just over six minutes left the second period. Gibson had to leave the game and Lukas Dostal came in. O’Connor was called for goalie interference, but the Ducks did not convert on the power play.

Vancouver scored towards the end of the period, but there was contact in the crease. The play was challenged for goalie interference and the refs reviewed the play. The goal stood for Vancouver because the officials ruled the Ducks players pushed the Canucks players into the crease.

Anaheim would pull within one with just under seven minutes to go. Isac Lundestrom took a shot that was blocked and Brian Dumoulin was able to get to the rebound and knock it in past Lankinen.

The Ducks pulled Dostal for the extra attacker in the final minutes, but couldn’t tie the game. In the final seconds, Trevor Zegras and Conor Garland dropped the gloves.

Analysis:

After an outstanding performance against the Edmonton Oilers, the Ducks did not play well against the Canucks. Anaheim had a difficult time getting the puck through the neutral zone and getting shots on net. The Ducks were only able to put 16 shots on goal to 36 for the Canucks. They did get the lead in the first period, but then the Canucks scored three times in the second period. Anaheim got a goal late in the third to make things interesting, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

The Ducks got in penalty trouble again getting called for five penalties. They gave up one power play goal against. Anaheim had two man advantages, but convert with either chance. Special teams have really faltered since the 4 Nations Break.

If the Ducks would have beat Buffalo, Chicago, and Vancouver then they would have been tied with the Calgary Flames for the final wild card spot. Anaheim can’t keep letting these must have games slip away. The Ducks need to get two points especially against the teams they are chasing for the playoffs.

Team Notes/Stats:

Zegras engaged in his first NHL fight with just five seconds left to go in the contest.

Gibson left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return to the game. He will be evaluated when he returns back home. His status may not help his trade value depending on the severity of the injury.

What’s Next?

Ducks host the St. Louis Blues on Friday at 7PM.

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March 6th, 2025