Ducks Come Up Short Against The Capitals

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Washington Capitals for the final game of the homestand. Lukas Dostal was in net against Logan Thompson.

Recap:

The Capital scored just over two minutes into this contest. Dylan Strome scored on a backhand from in close to make it 1-0.

Jacob Trouba then answered about three minutes later to tie the game. He took a shot in front that missed the net, but hit the boards and came right back to him. Trouba then shot the puck low for the score.

Drew Helleson then scored 29 seconds later to make it 2-1 Anaheim. He took a one timer from the right circle that beat Thompson.

Aliaksei Protas tied the game up with just under two minutes to go in the first period. He got to a loose puck in the right circle and beat Dostal. The teams were knotted up at two after the opening 20 minutes.

Washington took a 3-2 lead early in the second period. Pierre-Luc Dubois. redirected a pass form Matt Roy in the slot past Dostal. The Capitals held the one goal lead heading into the third period.

Pavel Mintyukov tied the game up early in the third period with a shot from downtown that went off Thompson’s glove.

Protas answered back for Washington just 31 seconds later with a goal right in front.

Frank Vatrano then tied things up once again about a minute later with a wrist shot from the right circle over Thompson’s shoulder.

The Capitals then responded with two goals from Nic Dowd and Anthony Beauvillier to make it a 6-4 lead. The Ducks pulled Dostal for the extra attacker in the final minutes and Protas scored into the empty net to earn the hat trick. The Ducks ended up losing by a 7-4 final.

Analysis:

This was a wild high scoring affair where the Ducks were able to hang with the Capitals until the final minutes of the third period. The first period saw a flurry of three goals scored in the span of about three minutes. There was also three goals scored in about a span of two minutes in the third period. The teams were tied four separate times until Washington went ahead for good with about six and a half minutes to go in the third period.

The Capitals were able to get pucks deep in the Ducks zone and work the cycle almost at will. The Ducks were able to fight back and get timely goals despite having less chances than the Capitals. Washington put up a whopping 79 shot attempts to 55 for Anaheim during even strength play. The Capitals posted a CF% of 58.96% and FF% of 60.4% at even strength. Washington’s GF% was 61.65%

Special teams play wasn’t much of a factor in this contest. Washington had one power play and did not convert. Anaheim had two power plays and did not convert. There were some missed calls in third period, which could have gone in Anaheim’s favor.

Ovechkin didn’t score any goals to get closer to beating Wayne Gretzky‘s record, but he did assist on three goals. Ovechkin could have also scored into the empty net at the end of the game, but he was unselfish and gave Protas the goal to complete the hat trick.

Team Notes/Stats:

Trouba scored his first NHL goal as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.

Leo Carlsson picked up an assist on Helleson’s goal and now has 13 points (5 G + 8 A) in his last 13 games.

Vatrano scored his 20th goal of the season and now has three consecutive 20 goal seasons.

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to Utah for a 7 PM game tonight.

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March 12th, 2025