Ducks Can’t Slow Down The Wild

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks concluded their homestand against the Minnesota Wild. John Gibson was in net against Filip Gustavsson. Brock McGinn was activated off the IR and played in this contest.

Earlier in the day, the Ducks traded Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 conditional 4th round draft pick to the New York Rangers for Jacob Trouba. For trade analysis visit: Ducks Acquire Trouba; What’s Next?

Recap

In the first period, the Wild had a couple of chances to score early, but a few rebounds went wide of the net. Minnesota ended up outshooting the Ducks 11 to 5, but there was no scoring.

The Wild scored early and often in the second period. Drew Helleson was called for tripping just over four minutes into the period. Kirill Kaprizov found Marco Rossi in front and he beat Gibson high to make it 1-0.

About four minutes later Rossi would get credit for the next goal. Matt Boldy took a shot that hit Rossi in front and the puck would then deflect off Gibson and into the back of the net.

Minnesota then made it 3-0 halfway through the period, when Rossi found Boldy at the far post for a one-timer. Minnesota was awarded a power play in the final minutes of the period, but did not score. Wild took their three goal lead to the locker room.

The Wild extended their lead in the opening minutes of the third period. Kaprizov got to a rebound and pushed the puck in the net. The power play had just expired before the goal was scored.

Anaheim got a power play a few minutes later, but couldn’t convert. The Ducks did finally get on the board with just under four minutes to go. Brock McGinn tipped a Cam Fowler point shot to make it 4-1.

Anaheim pulled Gibson for the extra attacker in the final minutes, but Minnesota scored an empty netter to make it a 5-1 final.

Analysis:

The Wild came out like a team on a mission in this contest. They nearly could have scored 2-3 times in the opening six minutes or so of the first period. Some puck luck and near misses helped Gibson keep the game scoreless in the opening frame.  In the second period it was all Minnesota Wild as they dropped three goals and never looked back. They added another one early in the fourth and there was no coming back from that deficit by Anaheim at that point.

Despite the final score, the Ducks actually played a decent even strength game. They put up 57 shot attempts to 54 for the Wild. Anaheim posted a CF of 51.35% and FF of 48%. The expected goals at even strength for the Wild was 2.95 and for Anaheim it was just 1.69. This is in line with the way the goals were scored in this contest. Minnesota scored three times at even strength to just one for Anaheim.

Special teams was a factor in this one. The final box score shows that the Wild only had one power play goal, but there nearly had two. Kaprizov’s goal to start the third came seconds after the power play expired. The Ducks were 0-for-2 with the man advantage.

One thing that Anaheim can learn for this contest is adapting the style of play the Wild execute on offense. All night long in this contest they had people going to the net for rebounds. There were several times players were in front or at the side of the net trying to get to rebounds and create chaos. There were also multiple times they knocked the puck in the net after the whistle, which frustrated the Ducks, especially Frank Vatrano who took some penalties as a result. Ducks need to get more people to the net period.

Team Notes/Stats:

Trouba will wear number 65 to honor his parents, who were born that year. He can’t wear 8 for obvious reasons. He will join the team on the upcoming road trip in Montreal.

Cam Fowler tied Corey Perry for second in all-time Ducks games played with 988.

There has been no official update on Trevor Zegras, but he was spotted wearing crutches at the game.

The Wild extend their winning streak 5 games. They have only lost 4 games in regulation this season.

What’s Next?

Ducks play the Montreal Canadiens on Monday at 4:30 PM.

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December 7th, 2024