Before theAnaheim Duckswent on their first extended road trip of the year, they desperately needed to have a good start. They had been searching for it for the first six games. The finally got it in their seventh.
Focus. Energy. Aggression. Forechecking. Traffic in front of the goaltender.
The Anaheim Ducks excelled in all elements of the game in the first, holding the play in the Canadiens’ defensive zone for the majority of the period. It paid off. The Ducks got on the board quickly fromDennis Rasmussen’stip-in of aJaycob Megnawrist shot which just slipped pastCarey Price’sleft shoulder and into the top of the net.
A tripping call on the Canadiens’Alex Galchenyuka few minutes later would lead to the Ducks finally getting their long awaited power play goal. The Ducks won the ensuing faceoff, and aFrancois Beacuheminshot glanced off Price’s pad.
A juicy rebound popped out in front. CenterDerek Grant, who had not scored a goal in his NHL career, foughtJeff Petryfor positioning out in front and quickly swept it home past Price. Ducks 2-0.
The Ducks continued their relentless attack and everyone got in on the forecheck. It would eventually pay dividends as a Canadiens’ turnover led to wingerChris Wagnergaining control of the puck. Wagner fed CenterAntoine Vermettefor a one-timer in the high slot, beating Price after the puck ricochet through multiple skates.
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The Ducks had gotten the start they were looking for. 3-0 after the first. They were by far the better team in the 1st period, outshooting the Canadiens 21-7. Their depth was starting to contribute to their early success.
If the first period was how the Ducks wanted to play, the second was the complete opposite. The Ducks took their foot of the gas and became careless and undisciplined. They started taking slashing and hooking penalties, failing to clear to their defensive zone cleanly.
The Canadiens received numerous low slot scoring chances, evident by their 30 (yes, 30) shots on Ducks’ goaltenderJohn Gibsonduring the period.
The Canadiens eventually cashed in. Canadiens’ defenderKarl Alznerslapped a pass that bounced off the endboard to wingerPaul Byronwho deposited it past Gibson. Toward the end of the period, aFrancois Beaucheminhooking penalty led to a Canadiens power play goal. After defensemenVictor Metewristed a puck that popped in and out of Gibson’s glove,Brendan Gallagherswatted the puck in out of mid-air.
The Ducks found themselves only up 1 after two frames, leaving fans to wonder if they would be able to deliver against a struggling Canadiens team. But the Ducks depth stepped up.
They would score 3 times within a span of 1 minute, 37 seconds. With the Ducks in the offensive zone, right wingJakob Silfverbergpassed toKevin Bieksafor a one-timer. His stick broke, but he got enough on it to get the puck toBrandon Montourwho one-timed the puck himself above Price’s right shoulder.
Moments later, Ducks’ wingerOndrej Kasefed Grant in front of the net with a wicked wrap around past his defender. Grant tapped it in past a befuddled Price. On the ensuing shift, Ducks wingerCorey Perrydrove the right side of the ice and one-handed a pass through traffic to Chris Wagner for a one-timer.
The puck would deflect off Canadiens d-manShea Weber’sskate and through Price.
What this victory means for the Ducks
The Ducks needed this one. But most importantly, they needed their depth to show up amidst all the injuries hampering this team. In a game where the Ducks’ 1st line ofAndrew Cogliano,Rickard Rakell, and Silfverberg had a quiet night (one assist), the Ducks 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lines (along with Gibson’s stellar goaltending) carried the team.
It showed that their depth is very capable of outworking and outplaying an opponent. Despite not being at full strength, they are not marginal. They do have the aggression, will, and creativity to frustrate and dominate.
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Hopefully the Ducks can apply that same energy, tenacity, and effort on their upcoming road trip. They’ll need it.
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