Ducks Can’t Recover After Poor Start

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks started a six game road trip in St. Louis against the Blues. Lukáš Dostál was in net against Joel Hofer. Sam Colangelo was recalled from San Diego and played in this contest. Troy Terry was at home with his wife Dani and newborn baby Theo.

Recap:

The Blues came out on fire in the first period. Robert Thomas scored just under three minutes into the game. Tyler Tucker scored about two minutes later to make it 2-0. Jordan Kyrou just the scoring parade making it 3-0 Blues less than seven minutes into this contest.

Dylan Holloway scored with about six minutes to go the first period to make it a 4-0 lead. Nikita Nesterenko got the Ducks on the board with four minutes left in the period. He redirected a shot by Jackson LaCombe high over Hofer.

The Blues continued to pour it on in the middle frame. Robert Thomas scored his second of the game about five minutes into the second period. Pavel Buchnevich scored at the eight minute mark to make it a 6-1 game. Dostal was pulled from the net and John Gibson came in for relief.

Colangelo with less than five minutes to go in the period. He beat Hofer from the right circle with a quick wrist shot. The Ducks were down 62 after two periods.

There was no scoring in the third period and the Ducks lost by a 6-2 final.

Analysis:

There is no sugar coating this as it was just an awful performance by the Ducks, especially in the first period. Anaheim could nothing right in the first period. They gave up three goals before seven minutes had even been played in this contest. The Ducks didn’t have a shot on goal through the first 11 minutes and 17 seconds of the first period. Turnovers came back to haunt on the Ducks in this period on all the Blues goals.

The Ducks did play a more even game in the second and third periods only being out scored 2-1. But the damage was already done in the first giving up four goals and trailing 4-1. At even strength, the Ducks had 49 shot attempts to 61 for the Blues. Anaheim posted a CF% of 44.55% and FF% of 40.79%. Special teams wasn’t a factor in this one. The Ducks had two power play chances and the Blues had one. Neither team converted with the man advantage.

Team Note/Stats:

Nesterenko has three NHL goals and they all have been against the St. Louis Blues. He scored on 3-25-23 and 4-7-24 previously against the Blues.

The Ducks are 0-1-1 without Terry in the last two games.

Anaheim did meet with Cam Fowler before the game to celebrate his 1000th NHL game.

What’s Next?

The Ducks face the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday at 4 PM.

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, Ducks gear, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

January 10th, 2025