VIDEO: Ducks Ground Jets

Photo: NHL

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks started the 2021-22 campaign at home against the Winnipeg Jets. Benoit-Olivier Groulx and Mason McTavish made their NHL debuts. Cole Perfetti made his debut for the Jets. John Gibson would go in net against Connor Hellebuyck.

The Ducks got on the board first with a goal by Kevin Shattenkirk. He would throw the puck toward the net at a sharp angle and it would go over Hellebuyck’s shoulder. Anaheim would then make it a 2-0 lead on Mason McTavish’s first NHL goal. He got to a loose puck in front of the net and put it home.

Kyle Connor would cut the lead in half with a one timer in the beginning of the second period. The Ducks would get a power play and Adam Henrique would reestablish the two goal lead as he redirected a Cam Fowler point shot past Hellebuyck. Anaheim was up 3-1 after two periods of play.

The Ducks would extend the lead to 4-1 in the beginning of the third period. Rickard Rakell redirected a shot by Jamie Drysdale for the score. It was Anaheim’s second power play goal of the game.

There were some shenanigans in the third period as Andrew Copp ran into Gibson. Derek Grant tried to get Copp to fight him, but instead he got a 10 game misconduct penalty. The Jets pulled their goalie with about 5 minutes to go, but couldn’t get any closer. The Ducks take this one 4-1.

Analysis:

The Anaheim Ducks were outshot early in this contest 15 to 6, but cashed in with two timely goals in the opening period. The Jets were able to respond by getting one goal, but the Ducks answered with two power play goals. Anaheim went two-for-five on the power play. Overall not a bad game for Anaheim, but they were outshot 34-22 in this contest and took several penalties.

One area to monitor is the amount of ice time Trevor Zegras plays. He played 13 minutes and 22 seconds which was barely higher than 4th liners Nicolas Deslauriers(12:55) and Derek Grant(13:01). Benoit-Olivier Groulx played more minutes(14:30) than Zegras.

Game Notes/Stats:

Mason McTavish scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. He was also the youngest Duck to score a goal(18 years, 256 days). Oleg Tverdovsky previously held the record(18 years, 259 days) on Feb. 1, 1995.

Adam Henrique recorded his 400th career NHL point.

Max Jones was scheduled to start, but was a late scratch due to flu like symptoms(non-COVID).

What’s Next?

The Anaheim Ducks host the Minnesota Wild on Friday October 15th at 7 PM.

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October 13th, 2021