Ducks Rally, But Still Fall Short

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their homestand against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lukas Dostal was in net against Joseph Woll.

Recap

The Ducks had two power play chances in the first period, but couldn’t convert.

Toronto thought had scored early in the period, but the play was called challenged and reversed. Mitch Marner had played the puck with a high stick just prior to the goal.

The Leafs eventually score in the final minute on a backhand shot by Max Domi. Toronto led 1-0 after the first period.

Toronto went on the power play early in the second period, but did not convert. Marner did scores about six minutes into the period to make it a 2-0 lead.

Leo Carlsson scored about a minute later to get Anaheim on the board and within one. Carlsson took a shot between the circles that beat Woll up high.

Toronto went on a power play in the final minute of the period and carried it over to the third period. The Leafs had a 2-1 advantage.

Anaheim killed off the Toronto power play to start the third period and then shortly after Sam Colangelo scored with the man advantage to tie things up. Colangelo’s initial shot hit the post and then he got his own rebound and scored a tap in goal.

Toronto then took the lead with just under nine minutes to go. Steven Lorentz scored on a deflection at the side of the next.

With about six minutes to go Troy Terry accidentally collided with Frank Vatrano. He left the game and did not return.

The Ducks pulled Dostal for the extra attacker in the final minutes, but could not get the tying score. Anaheim lost 3-2.

Analysis:

The Ducks had chances to take the lead early in the first period, but their power play woes continued going 0-for-2 to start the game. Anaheim was down 2-0 in the middle frame and did fight back to tie the game up. They did finally get a power play goal in the third period. The Ducks had gone 0-for-17 previously. Unfortanutely, Toronto answered back and held on to win 3-2.

Overall, the Ducks played well at even strength and on special teams. Anaheim posted a CF% of 56.48% and FF% of 51.28% at even strength. They put up 61 shot attempts to 47 for Toronto during even strength play. The Ducks also scored on one of their four power plays and kept the Leafs off the board with their two power plays. The Ducks created plenty of chances in this contest, but only had two goals to show for it.

This was a forgettable game for Radko Gudas. He tried an untimely hip check in the defensive slot when the Leafs scored their first goal. He also let Lorentz get behind him and score the third goal and eventual game winner for Toronto. He finished the night with a -3 on ice rating, one hit, and a two minute holding penalty.

Team Notes/Stats:

Jacob Trouba missed the game with a lower-body injury.

There was no update on Terry after the game.

Carlsson scored his 20th goal of the season and became the first player , ago 20 or younger, in Ducks history to a record a 20 goal season. He joins Mason McTavish and Vatrano as the third 20 goal scorer this season.

Carlsson also has 11 goals since the 4 Nations Face-OFf. Only five other NHL players have more goals since then.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Sharks on Tuesday at 7 PM.

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March 31th, 2025