VIDEO: LA Has It Their Way, Ducks Lose 4-1

By Aaron Francis

The Ducks returned to Staples Center to face the Kings in the first of four straight games against Los Angeles. Isac Lundestrom rejoined the lineup after missing the past eight games. They would also be without the services of Josh Manson(upper-body injury) and Adam Henrique(On COVID Protocol). The starting goalies were Anthony Stolarz for Anaheim and Jonathan Quick for Los Angeles.

First Period

Anaheim fell behind in the first period allowing Los Angeles to skate away with a lead. Ryan Getzlaf would start the game on the right wing but would be moved back to the center position by the end of the period. An early play at the blue line led to Andy Welinski hitting the ice and laboring to get on the bench. After playing less than 90 seconds Welinski went to the locker room and would not return to the lineup, leaving the Ducks with only five defensemen.

Dustin Brown would have a shot attempt blocked and would recollect the puck and feed it to Sean Walker at the point who fired the puck past Stolarz, 1-0 Los Angeles. Drew Doughty took a penalty but the Ducks didn’t create any chances with the extra man. A shot from the point hit the glass behind Anthony Stolarz and managed to end up in the slot for Mikey Anderson to shovel into the net, 2-0 Los Angeles. Nicolas Deslauriers had the two best chances for Anaheim with a slot shot and a chance in tight on Jonathan Quick. Shots were 8-7 Los Angeles.

Second Period

The Ducks played a much better second period managing to generate chances and cut the Kings lead in half. Early in the period Danton Heinen was able to move the puck from the left corner across to Jamie Drysdale at the right point. Drysdale hammered a shot into the net beating Quick and getting the Ducks on the board, 2-1 Los Angeles. Tobias Bjornfot had a chance from the point that was absorbed by Anthony Stolarz.

Late in the period Max Jones would be called for tripping. On the penalty kill Ryan Getzlaf managed to chip the puck past Drew Doughty at the Ducks blue line and set himself up for a breakaway. Getzlaf managed to get a backhand shot on Jonathan Quick but couldn’t beat the Kings netminder. Shots were an even 8-8 for both teams at the end of the period.

Third Period

Despite continuing to apply pressure, the Ducks would fail to tie the game and two late empty net goals widened the gap. Anaheim came out strong, killing the remainder of the carryover penalty, and challenging Quick with a chance from Maxime Comtois. The Ducks would go to the box again but managed to kill of the penalty allowing the offense to continue firing shots at the net including one that took a bounce and almost beat Jonathan Quick. Andreas Athanasiou had a chance alone with Stolarz but lost control of the puck.

Los Angeles began to sit back a bit, letting Anaheim dictate the pace of the game. As time began to wind down Anaheim looked to pull their goalie. A late push from the Kings prevented this and after the Ducks got a faceoff in the Los Angeles zone they took a timeout. Anthony Stolarz sat on the bench and the Ducks tried to find the equalizer. A turnover by Comtois led to an empty net goal for Dustin Brown, 3-1 Los Angeles. Anaheim tried to pull Stolarz again but this time Trevor Moore would break free and hit the empty net and put the game away, 4-1 Los Angeles. Shots were 9-7 Los Angeles in the third for a game total of 25-22 in favor of the home Kings.

Analysis

The Ducks now find themselves in the middle of another long losing streak having fallen in their last five contests. It is no news to fans of the team that playoffs are not in the picture this season. However, that does not make these remaining few games meaningless as many players will be making a case as to why they should be on the team next season.

Players such as Jamie Drysdale and the recently recalled Trevor Zegras will want to make an impression on the organization and show that they are developing well at the NHL level. While players like Sam Steel and Max Jones will be attempting to show that they will continue to improve and not stagnate. Steel in particular has at times this season shown signs of regression or lack of development into a top six forward on the team.

This series of four games against the rival Los Angeles Kings is one of the last opportunities for these players to show their best before the offseason and Seattle expansion draft arrive and force management to make hard choices.

What’s Next?

The Ducks face the Kings again in LA on Wednesday at 7PM.

 

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April 26th, 2021