Photo: Columbus Dispatch
By Michael Walters
The Anaheim Ducks started their road trip in Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets. The game was supposed to start at 3:30 PM PT, but ended up being played at 5:30 PM PT due to a power outrage issue in the downtown area. Lukas Dostal was in net against Elvis Merzlikins. Leo Carlsson was a healthy scratch for the second game in a row.
Recap
The Ducks went shorthanded three times in the opening period. Anaheim was able to kill off the first two penalties, but Columbus scored on the third man advantage. Emil Bemstrom hit a one timer from the left dot beating Dostal. The Blue Jackets were up 1-0 at the end of the opening period.
In the middle frame the teams traded power play chances, but neither team converted. With less than five minutes to go in the period, the Ducks would tie up the game. Pavel Mintyukov lead a 2-on-1 rush with Ryan Strome. Minty took a quick wrist shot, which was blocked, but Strome was able to get to the rebound sending it home past Merzlikins. The teams were tied at one after two periods.
Columbus took the lead almost halfway through the third period with a goal by Adam Fantilli. He took a wrist shot that beat Dostal over the shoulder. Anaheim answered back once more with a goal by Brett Leason with less than four minutes to go in the contest. The Ducks created a turnover in the Blue Jackets zone and Leason jumped on the puck sending it low past Mezlikins. Overtime was needed to determine a winner.
In overtime Troy Terry had a chance to end the game on a breakaway, but was denied. Frank Vatrano would then get a breakaway a few moments later and he beat Merzlikins for the game winner.
Team News/Notes:
It was revealed before the game that Leo Carlsson is scheduled to play two games a week for the first two months of the season. He will then be reevaluated at the time Pat Verbeek told Pierre LeBrun. The development plan for Carlsson was established between Verbeek, Carlsson, and his agent. This plan was hotly debated amongst the Anaheim faithful before the contest(and probably will be throughout the season).
Frank Vatrano scored his team leading 5th goal of the season. He is the fourth Ducks player to score his 5th goal of the season in six games or less. The others that achieved the feat are Daniel Winnik(4 games in 2012-13), Corey Perry (5 games in 2014-15), Paul Kariya (5 games in 1995-95 and 6 games in 1997-98), and Teemu Selanne (6 games in 1996-97).
Analysis:
Penalties, penalties, and more penalties. The Ducks again couldn’t play disciplined hockey and were shorthanded seven times in this contest. The good news is they were able to kill off six of them. They also had four power play chances, but couldn’t cash in on any of them.
The Ducks still played a decent game at even strength for the first two periods. For the game overall they posted a 43.86% CF% and 42.19% FF%. The play in third period was carried by Columbus, but half the frame was also played on special teams. Shots were 22 to 20 in favor of Columbus during even strength play.
The Ducks were able to comeback twice in this game and then complete the rally in overtime. In seasons past Anaheim was known as the comeback kids and in recent years if they got down by a couple of goals usually they were done. It’s great to see them keep fighting and rally back to earn two points on the road in dramatic fashion.
Besides Carlsson not playing, there was more controversy as Trevor Zegras was benched after the second period of this contest. Zegras has struggled at times with his passes, turning over the pucks, and hasn’t been creating scoring chances at the level and liking of Head Coach Greg Cronin. He appeared to pass up chances on the two power plays in the second period, which may have been the last straw for Cronin in the contest. This sparked a debate as to whether it was the right call to bench him for the rest of the game or should have it only been for part of the third period. This season Zegras has just one assist through six games.
What’s Next?
The Ducks travel to Boston to play the Bruins on Thursday at 4PM
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October 24th, 2023
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