TC Martin

Ducks Respond, Even Series with VGK   

​​​

Where are all the goals?  Coming into this series we expected a lot of lighted lamps and horns blowing. After all the Anaheim Ducks skated all over the Edmonton Oilers to the tune of scoring between four and seven goals in their wins in the opening round series while the Vegas Golden Knights had back-to-back five-goal games over Utah.   

​

Expect the unexpected, I guess. At least for now, as a defensive series has broken out between Anaheim and Vegas as goals have become a precious commodity for two of the higher scoring teams in the NHL.  

​

Each team has won a game by the identical 3-1 score. Each has added an empty netter at the end meaning these are tight contests throughout. This defensive battle now sees the series tied at one game apiece as the team's head to Anaheim for Game 3 on Friday night. 

​

The Golden Knights won the opener on Monday despite being outshot and outhit. If you ask the Ducks, they will tell you that the officials played a part in that game.  The officials waved off an icing call that eventually led to the game deciding goal for Vegas.  

​

In Game 2 on Wednesday night, the Ducks got the better of the Knights in nearly pitching a shutout courtesy of a great game by goaltender, Lukas Dostal who saved the first 21 shots of the contest only to let a meaningless goal in with :06 to go.  

​

The Ducks defense was a huge point of concern entering this series. Anaheim allowed 3.51 goals per game in the regular season, 29th in the NHL and worst among the teams that made the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

​

The speedy Ducks who usually flash that at the offensive end have shown their speed on defense. When you think of the Ducks’ speed, you think of them flying up the ice with the puck. But their speed showed up without the puck. They kept their shifts short, got in the Golden Knights’ faces all over the ice and stopped them before they could get going.

​

Anaheim has forced the Golden Knights to ice the puck, giving themselves a face-off in the offensive zone; or force them to flip it out, allowing themselves to regroup and attack with speed; or force them to turn it over, allowing themselves a quick strike.

​

So far so good for the Ducks and now they have home ice advantage at least for now.  It will be interesting to see if Vegas can get that electric goal scoring back against this revitalized defensive unit the Anaheim has shown in the first two games.​​