Dostal, Ducks Blank The Sharks

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks started the 2024-25 campaign on the road in San Jose. The Sharks were without Macklin Celebrini, who was placed on the IR prior to the game. The Ducks had Jackson LaCombe in the projected lineup, but he was a late scratch due to not feeling well. Olen Zellweger drew in his place. Lukas Dostal was in net against Vitek Vanecek.

Recap

The Sharks got an early power play in the opening minutes of the game and Fabian Zetterlund scored appearing to give San Jose a 1-0 lead. The Ducks challenged the play and it was ruled offside. Both teams had power play chances in the opening period, but no one converted. At the end of the period Frank Vatrano and Klim Kostin went at each other. Vatrano cross-checked Kostin, who took exception and punched Vatrano in the face. Somehow the teams would skate 4-on-4 to start the second period.

There was no scoring again in the second period. The Ducks had two power plays, but couldn’t convert. At the end of the period, Zetterlund checked Robby Fabbri knocking him down into the periods. Mason McTavish didn’t like the hit and then sent Zetterlund down to the ice. The teams came together and after it was all said and done, the Ducks would be shorthanded. McTavish was called for roughing.

Anaheim killed off the penalty to start the third period. The Ducks then broke through in the middle of the period with a goal by Isac Lundestrom. Brock McGinn found him in the slot on a rush and Lundestrom beat Vanecek glove side. Anaheim held a 1-0 lead until late into the third period when San Jose pulled Vanecek for the extra attacker. Trevor Zegras scored an empty net goal from downtown to make it 2-0 with less than two minutes to go. Anaheim would win 2-0.

Analysis

This game had a slow start to it. The Ducks appeared to be very rusty as they had trouble connecting their passes and getting good looks in the first half of the game. Anaheim also had five power plays, but couldn’t convert on any of them and didn’t get many good looks with the extra man.

Defensively the Ducks played an outstanding game. The Sharks had three power plays, but came up empty each time. They appeared to break through in the opening minutes of the game on a power play, but the play called back for being offside. San Jose wasn’t able to get one past Dostal. The Ducks also had 18 blocked shots to support their goalie.

The fourth line was the most consistent for Anaheim and they were able to get the only even strength goal, which would prove to be the game winner. It’s a welcome sight to get production from the fourth line, instead of just being a checking line. It was also great to see Zegras on ice in the final minutes trying to protect the lead on the defensive side of the puck. He also scored from the Anaheim goal line to seal the victory. There was a little bit of sloppy play in this one, but the Ducks will take the win into Vegas tonight.

Game Stats/Notes:

The Ducks shut out an opponent in a season opener for the first time in franchise history.

John Gibson (appendix) has been riding the exercise bike and could start skating this weekend.

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October 13th, 2024