VIDEO: Ducks Start Strong, But Can’t Finish Devils

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their road trip against the New Jersey Devils. The Ducks played the New York Rangers the night before and lost 6-4. Anthony Stolarz started in net against Mackenzie Blackwood. Jakob Silfverberg drew back into the lineup after being out with flu like symptoms.

Recap

The Devils generated some quality shots on goal early, but Stolarz was equal to the task. The Ducks would strike first as Jakob Silfverberg would one time the puck off a face-off past Blackwood.

Silffverberg would strike again as he got to a loose puck at the side of the net and beat Blackwood just inside the post to make it 2-0.

The Ducks had a power play at the end of the first period after Erik Haula ran into Stolarz. The Devils Nathan Bastian did have a shorthanded breakaway in the final seconds of the period, but Stolarz made the save.

The Ducks started the second period on the power play, but couldn’t convert. Anaheim had another power play and again didn’t cash in. The Devils broke through shortly after with a goal by Ondrej Palat.

Adam Henrique had a breakaway and beat Blackwood, but the puck hit the post.

With about six minutes to go Isac Lundestrom was hit up high by Brendan Smith. Max Comtois took exception to the hit and dropped the gloves with Smith. Smith received two minutes for interference and five minutes for fighting. Comtois received two minutes for instigating the fight, five minutes for fighting, and a 10 minute game misconduct.

Devils scored to tie things up at two after a strange bounce off the glass put the puck at the side of the net of Nico Hischier for an easy tap in. New Jersey then turned up the heat in the final minutes of the second period and had the Ducks on their heels. Stolarz was able to keep the score tied at the end of the period.

The Devils took the lead in the opening second of the third period as Dougie Hamilton was left alone at the side of the net for an easy goal.

The Devils had a power play, but it was cut short as Miles Wood was called for a penalty. After some 4-on-4 play the Ducks had a brief power play, but did not score.

New Jersey extended their lead to two on a goal by Dawson Mercer with about seven minutes to go in the contest. Anaheim had another chance on the power play shortly after, but again couldn’t get one past Blackwood. The Ducks pulled Stolarz with just under two minutes to go, but did not score. The Ducks lost by a 4-2 final.

Analysis:

The Ducks got off to a fast start with two goals from Silfverberg. Anaheim had just four shots on goal in the opening period, but they were able to control the play and make the shots count. The Devils started to push back in the second period with an early goal. There was a key moment where Henrique could have made it a 3-1 game, but his shot hit the post. The Ducks could have regained momentum, but instead the Devils went on to tie the game and carry the play in the third to earn the win.

On a positive note, the Ducks were perfect on the penalty kill not allowing the Devils to score in three power play attempts. Anaheim couldn’t cash in on their four power play attempts. The Ducks were again outshot, this time by a 41-20 margin. Even though the Ducks lost again, the Devils had some puck luck on their goals in this game. Anaheim played well enough to win in the first half of this game, but then ran out of steam in the second half.

What’s Next?

The Ducks face the Boston Bruins this Thursday at 4 PM.

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October 18th, 2022