Ducks Edge Blackhawks 3-2

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks took on the Chicago Blackhawks for their second of back-to back road games. Brock McGinn was out with a lower-body injury. Sam Colangelo drew in for him. John Gibson was in net against Arvid Soderblom.

Recap

The teams battled back and worth for most of the opening period until Chicago broke through in the final minutes. Connor Bedard found Jason Dickinson for a one timer, who beat Gibson from the left face-off circle.

The Ducks would answer back a few minutes later. Brett Leason would get to a loose puck and find Pavel Mintyukov for the tying score. Anaheim was called for a penalty late in the period and Chicago would start the second period on the power play.

Anaheim killed off the penalty to start the second period, but Chicago scored shortly after. Bedard went behind the Ducks net and found Dickinson in the slot, who scored on a one-timer. The Ducks did get a power play in the middle frame, but couldn’t cash in on the man advantage. Chicago led 2-1 after two periods.

The Ducks got a power play early in the third period, but did not convert. However, Anaheim did score shortly after the penalty expired. Trevor Zegras was behind the net and found Alex Killorn in the slot. He took a backhand shot that beat Soderblom low to tie the game at two.

Anaheim then took the lead about four minutes later. Alex Killorn fired a puck at Leo Carlsson in front of the net and he redirected the pass behind Soderblom for the score. The Blackhawks pulled their goalie in the final minutes, but couldn’t not get the tying goal. The Ducks went on to win 3-2.

Analysis:

The Anaheim Ducks have extended their winning streak to three games, a season best. Things started out a little shaky with Chicago scoring first in the opening period, but Anaheim answered with a goal two minutes later. Chicago again took the lead in the second period and had a one goal edge to start the third period. The Ducks then shut down the Blackhawks in the third period only allowing five shots on goal and then scoring twice to earn the win.

Outside of the Connor Bedard, Jason Dickinson, and Joey Anderson line, Anaheim was able to keep Chicago at bay. Bedard earned two assists setting up Dickinson on both goals, but it wasn’t enough. The Ducks got goals from Mintyukov, Killorn, and Carlsson to pull out the 3-2 win.

Anaheim put up 49 shot attempts to 39 for Chicago during even strength play. The Ducks didn’t score in the second period, but they managed a whooping CF of 70.97% and FF of 76.19% at even strength. Overall Anaheim posted a CF of 55.68% and FF of 56.45%, which was one of their best outings of the season in terms of puck possession. Special teams wasn’t a factor as neither team scored on the power play.

The line of Zegras, Carlsson, and Killorn was the best line overall offensively and defensively for Anaheim. They scored two of the three goals on the night. Zegras (two assists) and Killorn (one goal, one assist) both had multi-point games. They were also very effective in shutting down Chicago and limiting their chances, especially in the third period.

Team Notes/Stats:

Ryan Strome played in his 800 NHL game.

John Gibson is perfect on the season with a 3-0-0 record.

Carlsson scored his fourth game winner tonight. He now has the most game-winning goals as a teenager in franchise history passing Cam Fowler(3).

Killorn has points in his last four consecutive games (1 G + 4 A).

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Buffalo Sabres Friday at 7 PM.

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November 19th, 2024