Photo: AP
By Michael Walters
The Anaheim Ducks continued their homestand against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lukas Dostal was in net against Martin Jones. Ryan Strome and Radko Gudas were out due to illness. Isac Lundestrom made his season debut after being out several months with an Achilles injury. Troy Terry is still out with an upper body injury.
Recap
The Ducks were shorthanded just three minutes into this contest. Jamie Drysdale was called for slashing, but the Ducks were able to kill off the penalty. Toronto controlled the play outshooting Anaheim 18 to 9 in terms of shots on goal. The game remained scoreless after the first period.
In the second period, Bobby McMann laid a big hit on Pavel Mintyukov into the boards. Illya Lyusbushkin immediately skated at McMann dropping the gloves. When it was all said and done McMann was ejected from the game and given five minutes for fighting and a five minute major for boarding. Lyubushkin received two minutes of instigating, five minutes for fighting, and a 10 minute misconduct. The Ducks ended up with a three minute power play, but did not convert.
Frank Vatrano gave the Ducks the lead just over halfway through the period. Mason McTavish had the puck along the boards and found Vatrano alone in front of the net. He made a backhand move and scored. The Ducks off two more penalties in the period and held a 1-0 advantage after two periods.
In the third, the Ducks had a power play to start the period, but couldn’t convert. The Maple Leafs got a couple of power plays later in the period and John Tavares scored on one of them to tie game up. There would be no more scoring and bonus hockey would be needed.
The teams both had a few chances initially, but neither scored. Trevor Zegras turned over the puck and it eventually led to a goal by Auston Matthews to give Toronto the win.
Analysis:
The Ducks defense was non-existent in this game as they gave up 57 shots on goal to the Maple Leafs, who had 104 total attempts. Lukas Dostal played his heart out stopping 55 shots on goal for the night. There is really nothing more you could ask from your goaltender in a game like this.
Toronto posted a ridiculous CF of 67.92% and FF of 66.13% in this contest. Anaheim was fortunate to come out of this contest with one point. There were some questionable calls, especially in the third period, but your defense has to shown up at some point when holding a one goal advantage late in a game.
Zegras showed maturity last night after the game as he went up to Dostal and told him “You were the best player on the ice, that’s my fault”. Zegras’ turnover eventually led to the Maple Leafs winning goal.
Team Stats/Notes:
The 55 saves by Dostal is a team record for the most saves by a Ducks goalie in a regular season game.
This contest was the first time the Ducks lost in overtime this season.
Vatrano leads the team with 17 goals.
Troy Terry was placed on the IR retroactive to December 30th.
What’s Next?
The Ducks host the Winnipeg Jets Friday at 7 PM.
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January 4th, 2024
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