Anaheim Falls Short To Seattle

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Seattle Kraken in the first of back-to-back contests. On Wednesday the two teams will meet again, but in Seattle. Lukas Dostal was in net against Joey Daccord. Mason McTavish was activated off the IR and returned to action. Sam Colangelo was a healthy scratch as a result.

Recap:

Seattle scored the opening goal about seven minutes into the first period. Shane Wright tipped a point by Oliver Bjorkstrand over Dostal’s leg pad.

Anaheim answered back with about four minutes to go. Seattle was called for a penalty and the Ducks still had possession so they pulled Dostal for the extra attacker. Troy Terry found Trevor Zegras streaking in toward the left side of the net and he shot the pass high over Daccord’s shoulder for the tying score. The teams were tied at one after one period of play.

The Ducks then took the lead about six minutes into the second period. Olen Zellweger took a shot that was blocked by Daccord, but Frank Vatrano got to the rebound in front for the tap in goal.

With just under five minutes to go in the period, Tye Kartye checked Leo Carlsson from the side and sent him flying into the Anaheim net. Radko Gudas immediately with to him and wanted to fight but the referees separated them. Zegras hit Kartye on the back of the leg with his stick as he skated to the penalty box. After it was all said and done, Kartye received two minutes for interference and two for roughing. Gudas sat for roughing and Zegras went for slashing. Carlsson eventually was able to get up and skate on his own to the locker room. He did not return to the game.

With just under three minutes to go, Zellweger was called for hooking. The Ducks killed off the penalty and took a 2-1 lead to the locker room.

The Kraken tied the game in the opening minute of the third period. Jared McCann sent the puck towards the net and it was deflected hitting Andre Burakovsky before going into the net. On the next sequence Brandon Montour took a point shot that beat Dostal, who was screened on the play by Eeli Tolvanen who jumped over the shot.

The Ducks did get a power play about two minutes later, but could not convert. Anaheim pulled Dostal in the final minutes of the contest, but would not score again. Seattle won by a 3-2 final.

Analysis:

Like the game on Friday against Buffalo, this is one Anaheim could have won. Another two bad minutes of play did the Ducks. On Friday night it was the last two minutes of the second period and in this one it was the first two minutes of the third period.

During even strength play the Ducks put up 39 shot attempts to 55 for the Kraken. Anaheim had six high danger chances and Seattle had five. The line of Terry, Vatrano, and Ryan Strome skated well together and factored in both goals. McTavish look good in his return and created some scoring chances.

Neither team scored on the power play. Anaheim’s penalty kill was solid in this contest. Seattle had three man advantages to just one for Anaheim. The Ducks would have had another one if Zegras wouldn’t have hit Kartye with his stick after the scum, but it was understandable given the unnecessary hit on Carlsson.

Dostal continued to play well, though he will want the second goal by Seattle back. He tried to hit the puck out of the crease, but missed as the puck went by him on the near side. The other two goals were off a deflection and a screen.

The Ducks tried to rally in third after giving up to two quick goals, but they had to play the period without Carlsson. As a result, Head Coach Greg Cronin rotated different players at center to play with Zegras and Killorn. His absence definitely help the chemistry of the forward lines. There was no update on Carlsson after the game, hopefully he isn’t out long term.

Team Notes/Stats:

Zegras has five points in his last five games (2 G + 3 A).

Brock McGinn was placed on the IR just prior to the game.

What’s Next?

The Ducks will play the Kraken on Wednesday in Seattle at 7 PM.

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November 26th, 2024