Photo: AP
By Alan Negrete
The game starts with the announcement of Mike Smith versus John Gibson in net for each of the respective teams. Ducks focused for the win comes with a strategy that consists of discipline and glueing the defense to Draisaitl. Sadly the Ducks weren’t able to keep the Oilers off the scoreboard off for more than 5 minutes. In just under 5 minutes the Oilers go up by one with a deflected shot by Tyson Barrie, assisted by Connor McDavid.
In the middle of the 1st period there was a mild scrum, where the Ducks came out having the worst of it by taking a penalty already down by one. Not a great start by the Ducks, especially with a penalty as controversial as this one. Nonetheless the Oilers scored 5 seconds into the power play. 2-0 Oilers. McDavid gets his 40th of the season on the powerplay. Ducks probably didn’t get their memo on what they needed to focus on. It seems like a lot has passed but fear not barely passing the half of the 1st period, possibly enough time for the Ducks to wake up. After that goal the Ducks seemed determined to not let the Oilers get anymore, oh I apologize I meant Gibson since he made some incredible back to back saves to keep the Ducks in it.
With a little under 4 minutes, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was able to get one to make it 3-0. This game is getting unforgiving for the Ducks and it hasn’t even been 20 minutes. Even though the Ducks haven’t had the puck often, credit to Smith for being on his toes when needed. Especially with a powerplay for the Ducks coming up with a little more than 2 minutes left on the 1st. Halfway through the power play the Ducks seem to be struggling without their captain for his saucy passes. The power play ends and the Ducks go to the locker room seemingly relieved that they weren’t down by four due to an earlier opportunity for the Oilers which clanged off the post. 3-0 going into the 2nd period with shots in favor of the Oilers 16-8. I won’t lie, that period felt like an eternity.
The second period starts off just like the 1st ended, with the Oilers all over Gibson. It was just about time until they got past Gibson once again, and that’s exactly what happened. With amazing forechecking in front of the net the Jesse Puljujarvi finds a loose puck and slams it in for a 4-0 deficit. Ducks in the second period had an energy loss. They did everything in their power to conserve energy possibly for a strong 3rd? Nevertheless they took penalties galore and even one by Reese which was a borderline tripping penalty. No energy, but helps the 2nd come to a close with the Ducks trailing the Oilers 4 zip. Shots in favor of Oilers 30 – 17. Is it too late to ask Rickard Rakell to return for another comeback on Katella?
At the start of the 3rd period there was back and forth hockey. A small burst of energy from the Ducks pays off. With a rebound attempt, Zach Aston-Reese gets his first goal as an Anaheim Ducks putting the Ducks in whisper position to come back into the game. 4-1 Oilers and the Ducks seemed to have a little pep in their step for the moment. Reese got his groove with the Ducks as he took charge on a very stylish play, but Smith had other ideas and the flashy glove. Nice to see the new guy getting more comfortable playing. After a bit of back and forth hockey the Ducks got back to back amazing chances but Smith kept shutting the door on their faces.
So then insulting to injury would be that after all those opportunities the Oilers score with a fairly less difficult opportunity. Sadly that’s exactly what happens with Brett Kulak getting his 4th of the season with a semi slow puck going past Gibson. Ducks trailing the Oilers 5-1. Any chance we can just run the clock down? The Oilers probably not wanting the game to end with another goal by rebounding past Gibson to make the deficit larger 6-1. Who else but Leon Draisaitl to get his 50th of the season, what a feat sadly it’s against the Ducks or I’d congratulate him longer. The game finally comes to a close with the Ducks falling to the Oilers by a large margin of 6-1. Reese gets his first as a Duck which could be the start of something great. This game was one to forget, but with every fall comes a learning experience.
In conclusion, the Ducks get absolutely demolished by the Oilers, with a result of 6-1. A chance for learning and growth obviously. It’s a learning season and this is just stating the obvious. The positive of this game would be Reese warming up to the Ducks making chances and just leading his line. Hope it continues when the Flames visit Honda Center on Wednesday. Onto the next one.
Team Notes/Stats:
Troy Terry did not play as a result of the injuries from Friday’s game. According to Elliotte Friedman, Terry was thought to possibly have a broken orbital bone at first, but thankfully did not after being re-examined.
Ryan Getzlaf was out with a lower-body injury.
What’s Next?
The Ducks host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night at 7 PM PT.
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April 3rd, 2022
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