Ducks Earn Shootout Win Over Kings

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks took a quick trip of the 5 Freeway to face the Los Angeles Kings before the 4 Nations break. Lukas Dostal was in net against David Rittich. Radko Gudas did play due to being ill.

Recap:

There was no scoring in the first two periods of this spirited contest. The Kings had a power play in the first period, but couldn’t cash in. The Ducks had a man advantage in the second period and also couldn’t convert.

Anaheim got into penalty trouble to start the third period. Pavel Mintyukov was called for hooking just over a minute into the period. The Ducks kill off that penalty and then Ryan Strome was called for hooking. Again the Ducks were able to keep the Kings off the board with the man advantage.

Brian Dumoulin got the Ducks on the board at about the seven minute mark of the third period. He took a wrist shot from the left cirlcle that beat Rittich glove side.

It looked like the Ducks might shut out the Kings, but Adrian Kempe scored with just under three minutes to go to tie the game. Kempe got to a loose puck in the crease area and pushed it in just before the net was knocked out of position.

This game would need bonus hockey to determine a winner. In overtime, both teams had chances, but neither team scored. Drew Doughty was called for a penalty in the final seconds of the overtime, but the game would need to go to a shootout.

Trevor Zegras and Leo Carlsson both scored in the shootout to earn the win for Anaheim. Both Kings attempts hit the post.

Analysis:

This was a high flying entertaining game despite the low scoring. The Ducks played a solid opening period and were able to get the forecheck going. The Kings appeared a little sluggish having played the night before and going the distance to a shootout. LA did pick up the pace in the second period and carried it into the third. The Ducks got the first goal, but then sat on the one goal lead. The strategy almost worked, but the Kings were able to score late to send the game in overtime.

LA had the better chances in overtime, but Dostal came up huge in the extra session to force a shootout. He got some puck luck in the shootout when both of the Kings attempts hit the posts, but Dostal was amazing throughout the entire game. He ended up stopping 43 of 44 shots on goal and also faced 16 high danger chances by LA. Ducks goaltending has been solid all season especially in these last seven games.

The penalty kill for Anaheim was perfect keeping LA off the board in all three of their attempts. The Ducks have only give up three power play goals in their last seven games. They have gone 15-for-18 in killing off opponent power plays during that span.

The Ducks power play is still having major issues. Anaheim hasn’t scored in 15 consecutive man advantages and have only converted twice in their last 21 power plays. Assistant Coach Rich Clune did shake things up and went with five forwards on the Ducks first power play chance. Zegras was also playing at the point. This might be something they continue to deploy after the 4 Nations break.

Team Notes/Stats:

The Ducks have won six of their last seven games. They have held their opponents to two or less goals in five of those contests.

Brian Dumoulin scored his first goal as an Anaheim Duck.

Lukas Dostal earned his 15th win on the season, which is a new career high.

Trevor Zegras is 13 for 20 in the shootout in his career. He is 2nd best in the shootout all-time. Petteri Nummelin has the best conversion percentage in shootouts going 8 for 10 in his career.

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to Boston on February 22nd to face the Bruins after the 4 Nations break.

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February 9th, 2025