Ducks Fall Short To The Golden Knights

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their homestand against the Vegas Golden Knights. Lukas Dostal was in net against Adin Hill. Drew Helleson and Jansen Harkins were recalled from San Diego. Harkins drew in with Robby Fabbri being placed on the IR and Mason McTavish out with an upper-body injury.

Recap

Leo Carlsson had a great chance in the opening minutes of the game. He beat Adin Hill high, but his shot hit rang off the crossbar.

Brock McGinn scored first for Anaheim with just over two minutes left to go in the period. Pavel Mintyukov took a shot that was blocked, but McGinn got to the rebound and beat Hill low for the early 1-0 lead.

Vegas answered just over a minute later. Nicolas Roy scored in close, beating Dostal five-hole for the score. The teams were tied 1-1 after the opening 20 minutes.

The Golden Knights extended their lead just over six minutes into the second period. Brett Leason was called for high sticking and Tomas Hertl would score in close to make it 2-1.

The Ducks got their first power play with just over six minutes to go. Olen Zellweger beat Hill high, but his shot hit the crossbar. The Golden Knights were able to kill off the penalty. Anaheim did get another power play in the final seconds of the period and started the third with a man advantage.

The Ducks couldn’t convert with the man advantage to start the third period. A few minutes later Pavel Dorofeyev scored to make it a 3-1 lead. Isac Lundestrom turned over the puck in the slot to him and he scored after following up his own rebound.

Anaheim got another power play chance with about eight minutes to go, but again couldn’t convert. The Ducks did pull within one with a goal by Frank Vatrano, but with only about 13 seconds left. Vegas took this game by a 3-2 final.

Analysis

This was a game of missed opportunities for the Ducks. Carlsson nearly gave the Ducks the early lead, but he hit the crossbar. Zellweger also hit the crossbar on the Ducks first power play chance of this contest. Alex Killorn also had an open net in the third period, but whiffed on the pass in close at the net.

During even strength play the Ducks held a 27-25 advantage in scoring chances and 12-9 in high dangerous chances. In terms of puck possession, Anaheim posted a CF of 45.37% and FF of 47.5%. The Ducks had 49 shot attempts, but only 24 were on goal. That’s been a reoccurring theme as they are taking plenty of shots, but either they miss the net, get blocked, or hit the post(happened twice in this contest).

Special teams was a key factor in this contest. Vegas was 1-for-3 with the man advantage. Anaheim went 0-for-3 on the power play, but they gave up a shorthanded goal off a bad turnover by Lundestrom in the front of their net. The two goals by Vegas during special teams play was the difference in this contest.

Team Notes/Stats:

Cam Fowler (upper-body) and Robby Fabbri (lower-body) were both placed on the IR.

James Reimer was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Sabres yesterday.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Detroit Red Wings Friday at 7 PM.

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November 14th, 2024