Ducks Get Blanked By The Oilers

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their road trip against the Edmonton Oilers. John Gibson was in net against Jack Campbell. Trevor Zegras was deemed good to go and returned to action after missing the last game.

Recap

The teams exchanged chances in the first period, but no one scored early on. Late in the period the Oilers would break the scoreless tie. With about two minutes to go, Zach Hyman brought the puck to the front of the net and squeezed a shot between Gibson’s body and the right post.

Edmonton scored two quick goals to start the second period and make it a 3-0 game. Leon Draisaitl got the puck in the slot area and backhanded a shot over Gibson’s glove. A few minutes later, Darnell Nurse took a point shot through traffic that beat Gibson.

Draisaitl scored again just over halfway through the period on the power play. Connor McDavid took a shot from the left face-off circle and it deflected off Hyman to the side of the net. Draisaitl was there to pick up the loose change and tap the puck into the net. The Oilers led 4-0 after two periods.

In the beginning of the third period Connor McDavid scored to make it a 5-0 game. McDavid brought the puck behind the Anaheim net and then circled into the slot area and took a shot high beating Gibson. The Ducks goalie ended up coming out of the game with a lower-body injury. Lukas Dostal took over the net for Anaheim.

Late in the third period the Ducks got a power play, but it would be the Oilers that would score. Mattias Ekholm and Draisaitl broke in 2-on-1 and Draisaitl beat Dostal low stick side to earn the hat trick. The Ducks dropped this by a 6-0 final.

Analysis

The Ducks played a decent opening period and were able to hang with the Oilers. Edmonton then pulled away with a few goals in the beginning of the second period and never looked back. Anaheim has been giving up multiple goals early in the second and/or third periods lately.

The special teams play was a factor in this game and not being able to contain Draisaitl as well. He scored on one of the Oilers three power plays. The Ducks had three man advantages of their own, but couldn’t convert. Draisailt also scored while Edmonton was shorthanded.

The Ducks will finish of the road trip against Calgary and then have to play the Oilers again at home on Wednesday. In terms of standings, Anaheim has 56 points and is currently in the third draft lottery position with six games left to go.

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to Calgary to face the Flames Sunday at 5PM.

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April 1st, 2023