The Anaheim Ducks shutout the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 on Wednesday night, thanks to strong goaltending from John Gibson and a season-saving performance by Stoyko Rakell. As it stands now, the Ducks are at .500 for the season but have held their opponents under three goals in five of their last six games.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-0 on Friday, with Rickard Rakell scoring twice and Anthony Stolarz making 34 saves.
The Ducks ended a three-game losing run after an eight-game winning streak with a power-play goal from Troy Terry, as well as goals from Isac Lundestrom and Derek Grant.
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ANAHEIM, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Anaheim Ducks’ Sam Steel #23 skates on the ice during the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Honda Center in Anaheim, California on November 26, 2021. (Photo courtesy of NHLI/Debora Robinson via Getty Images)
“We had a fantastic period there where we were playing well and getting results, and then we went on the road and didn’t play well, and we clearly didn’t get the results we needed.” So I believe the objective when we returned home was to get back to what made us successful. “I felt we did a fairly good job of focusing on ourselves rather than the opponent,” Grant remarked.
Trevor Zegras, a rookie center, recorded two assists to go along with Stolarz’s fourth shutout of the season.
Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg made 29 saves. They’ve lost four straight games and have just one win in their last 11 contests.
Ottawa coach D.J. Smith remarked, “There’s no shortage of effort there today.” “They’re making an effort.” They’re unhappy that we aren’t scoring, and when you’re losing, you tend to loosen up and give up additional opportunities.”
At 9:05 of the third period, Rakell increased Anaheim’s lead to 4-0 by going to the edge of the paint for a chip shot to complete off a beautiful passing sequence from Sonny Milano to Zegras to Rakell.
Since returning from an upper-body injury that held him out for ten games, Rakell has two goals and two assists in a three-game point run.
With 43 seconds remaining in the second, Terry put the Ducks up 3-0 by building up speed before cutting right and sending a backhand shot between Forsberg’s legs. Terry’s goal was his fourth on the power play and his 13th overall, leading the club in both categories.
With 9:32 left in the second, Grant made it 2-0 by scoring on the rush after Anaheim killed a penalty. After Forsberg blocked Grant’s shot, Victor Mete attempted to whack the loose puck away, but it hit Tyler Ennis and went out.
After the unintended blunder, Ennis could only hang his head, as he lost his balance in the neutral zone, allowing Grant to speed down the ice with the puck.
“I’ll take as many as I can get,” said Grant, who had gone 17 games without scoring this season.
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With 3:17 remaining in the first period, the Ducks broke through on Lundestrom’s fourth goal, a one-timer from the low slot.
CERTAINLY UNIQUE
On the power play, Anaheim was 1 for 3 and Ottawa was 0 for 4. The Ducks’ good start has been aided by the development of both units, which were rated in the top eight in the NHL going into today. Coach Dallas Eakins lauded new coach Mike Stothers for instilling a fresh mindset on special teams, particularly on the penalty kill.
Coach Dallas Eakins remarked, “Every day is a difficult day on them.” “Anything that comes out there, our murderers are extremely well prepared for.”
OUT OF THE WAY
Ottawa was shut out for the third time in six games, and has now given up 26 goals in that period.
“We’re going to have to go extremely deep,” Smith remarked. “Clearly, we’re a frail bunch.” Guys are just coming back to health after losing all three games on this tour, and we need to win simply to feel good about ourselves.”
NOTES: In his last three games, Zegras has four assists. In a three-game point run, Milano has two goals and two assists. F Ducks After missing the game against Colorado on Wednesday due to an upper-body ailment, Adam Henrique returned to the lineup. … Senators G and H After conceding four goals on 27 shots in a 6-3 defeat to Ottawa on Wednesday, Matt Murray was a healthy scratch. Forsberg was backed up by Filip Gustavsson. After suffering an upper-body injury against Colorado on Monday, Senators D Josh Brown is projected to miss four to six weeks.
UP NEXT
Senators: On Saturday, they’ll be in Los Angeles.
On Sunday, the Ducks will host the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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