VIDEO: Shattenkirk Lifts Ducks To 5-4 Shootout Win

Photo: Mark Terrill/AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks squared off with the Los Angeles Kings for the first time this season. The Ducks went with the same lineup as before against Toronto. Jonathan Quick was in net for the Kings.

Recap

The Kings generated several early chances, but Gibson was equal to the task. Ducks had an early chance when Trevor Zegras made a terrific move with the puck between his legs passing it to Sonny Milano in the slot, but he couldn’t get a stick on the pass.

Halfway through the period, Ryan Getzlaf fell awkwardly near the boards as he made a check. He had to go off to the locker room. He sustained a lower-body injury and would not return.

The Ducks and Kings exchanged chances, but neither team scored. Anze Kopitar did a wrap around attempt that Gibson foiled. Adam Henrique redirected a point shot, which beat Quick, but it hit the post.

The Ducks started the second period by creating some chances, but couldn’t get it past Quick. Milano had the best chance, but somehow he didn’t score.

Anaheim had a power play and didn’t convert, but Troy Terry scored from the slot shortly after. The Kings then answered on a goal by Alex Iafallo, which took an odd bounce off Jamie Drysdale and past Gibson.

The Ducks would respond as Kevin Shattenkirk beat a partly screened Quick to make it a 2-1 lead. Anaheim would almost score again before the period was over. Isac Lundestrom attempted a pass behind the LA net, which was deflected over the net and nearly went in.

Anaheim had an early power play to start the third period and Cam Fowler would score to make it 3-1. Isac Lundestrom would then crash the Kings net and get denied, but a clearing attempt deflected back in the net. The Ducks were now up 4-1.

The Kings did respond as Adrian Kempe redirected a point shot past Gibson. Carl Grundstrom then appeared to score to make it a 4-3 game, but the play was reviewed. It was deemed the puck was hit with a high stick so the goal did not count.

The Kings still fought back and scored two more goals to tie up the game. Alex Iafallo got his second of the game and Dustin Brown scored 26 seconds later to tie the game up at 4.

The teams would need bonus hockey to determine a winner. In overtime, Cam Fowler nearly won the game as he beat Quick, but hit the post. It would take a shootout to decide this game.

Lias Andersson scored for LA in round one and Trevor Zegras scored in round two. Kevin Shattenkirk scored in round three to give the Ducks the 5-4 win.

Analysis:

The Ducks had a slow start to this game. Zegras created the best chance for Anaheim, but Milano couldn’t get his stick on a pass that likely would have been a goal. The Kings had a late power play and made a push, but the Ducks were able to keep the game scoreless in the opening period.

Anaheim scored first and appeared to build some momentum in the middle frame. The Kings would score on a strange bounce and take some of the wind out of the Anaheim sails. However, the Ducks would answer as Kevin Shattenkirk would beat Quick top shelf. Ducks outshot the Kings 16-6 in the second period.

The Ducks scored twice in the beginning of the third and appeared to put this game out of reach. The Kings appeared to answer two goals of their own, but one goal came back due to the puck being played with a high stick. LA still fought back scoring two more times to force overtime. What would a Freeway Face-off be without bonus hockey?

Overall the Ducks played well for the majority of the game, but then let a three goal lead slip away in the third period. This team is going to have some growing pains this season, but they did eventually pull the win out in the shootout.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Golden Knights tomorrow at 7 PM PT.

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November 30th, 2021