Ducks End Predators Winning Streak

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks closed out their home stand against the Nashville Predators. John Gibson was in net against Juuse Saros.

Recap:

The Ducks got on the board first just over four minutes into this one. Pavel Mintyukov beat Saros low, but the puck sat behind him in the goal crease. As Saros slide back towards the net he knocked the puck in.

The Predators answered with about five minutes to go in the period. Gustav Nyquist scored on a breakaway with a backhand shot.

Mason McTavish scored in the final seconds of the period to make a 2-1 contest. Alex Killorn found McTavish streaking to the net and he redirected the pass behind Saros for the goal.

Lukas Dostal was in net to start the second period. Gibson had to exit the game with an unknown injury. Nashville tied things up once again early in the second period. Ryan O’Reilly scored on a rebound to even things up at two.

Halfway through the period and the Ducks went back ahead again by a goal. Jansen Harkins got to a rebound and beat Saros out stretched leg for the score.

Anaheim then scored again about one minute later. Drew Helleson took a shot that was blocked and Trevor Zegras got to the rebound and beat Saros with a wrist shot.

Steven Stamkos was called for cross checking with less than seven minutes to go in the middle frame. Troy Terry found McTavish with a cross ice pass below the circles and Mason one-timed the pass high for the score. The Ducks lead 5-2 at end of the period.

In the third period there was no scoring. Nashville pulled their goalie in the final minutes of the third, but couldn’t get any closer. Anaheim took this one by a 5-2 final.

Analysis:

The Ducks came out with a strong start taking the lead two different times, but the Predators answered back each time. Anaheim pulled away with three goals in less than four minutes of play during the second period. Nashville out played Anaheim in third outshooting them 15 to 6. The Ducks were able to sit on the lead and Dostal played well in relief for John Gibson.

Anaheim won the special teams battle in this game. The Ducks scored once in two power play chances. They kept the Predators off the board with their three man advantages. In terms of even strength numbers, the Ducks posted a CF% of 43.18% and a FF% of 43.08%. They had a slight edge in xGF% at 50.78%.

McTavish has been on fire lately scoring 5 goals in his last three games. He almost had a hat trick in each of the last two games just barely missing the empty net in each contest. He has developed some good chemistry with Cutter Gauthier and Robby Fabbri. He has also been very dangerous on the power play, which is a welcomed sight.

Team Notes/Stats:

Gibson left the game at the end of the first period with an upper body injury. There was no update, but Head Coach Greg Cronin thinks he will be fine.

The Ducks are 19-0-2 when scoring 3 or more goals this season.

What’s Next?

The Ducks play in Seattle on Tuesday at 7 PM.

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January 26th, 2025