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The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Calgary Flames on Wednesday in the first leg of a back-to-back that will take them north to face the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. The Ducks were coming off a nail-biting 3-2 victory over a depleted Edmonton Oilers squad on Monday in which they were outshot 47-21.
Game #78: Ducks vs. Flames Gameday Preview
The Flames entered just four points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference standings with a game in hand on the Minnesota Wild, the team currently occupying the spot. Calgary had registered points in four of their previous five games.
Jacob Trouba missed his third straight game for the Ducks with a lower-body injury and was replaced by Oliver Kylington. Jansen Harkins was reinserted into the fourth line after serving as a healthy scratch on Monday in favor of Brett Leason.
Ville Husso got the start for the Ducks in this game and saved 36 of 39 shots.
Rookie sensation Dustin Wolf took the crease for the Flames and stopped 19 of 23.
“From the bench, it was a frustrating environment,” Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said postgame. “It just was a sloppy, ugly game. But, tremendous amount of credit to our guys for coming back when it was 3-1.”
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Here are my notes from this game:
Penalty Kill-For the second game in a row, the Ducks penalty kill was tasked with killing six penalties, and they’ve killed all 12. Leo Carlsson played 3:53 on the PK, Cutter Gauthier played 2:16, and Troy Terry played 2:00. That trio made the difference along with Jackson LaCombe, who played 7:26 on the PK, as they were able to anticipate and close quickly when the puck moved north/south throughout the zone.
“Guys did a really good job on the PK and for a goalie, it is like you know where the shots are coming (from), so it gets kind of easier for you.” Ville Husso said. “Six kills is pretty good.”
Ville Husso-Husso earned his first win as a Duck in this game and did his best Lukas Dostal/John Gibson impression, keeping the team in the game with a structured and calm approach until they were able to pot some timely goals.
He was terrific on his angles all night and was especially unwavering when there was a scramble or flurry at the top of the crease.
Cutter Gauthier-Gauthier tallied eight shots in this game and wouldn’t be denied from the hop. He’s made immense progress this season off and on puck, and his anticipation skills have refined significantly. Pucks are seemingly drawn to him now (not an accident) and his chemistry with Leo Carlsson is blossoming into something special. The two can operate at high speeds, change pace, and make dynamic decisions at critical junctures in the course of a single play.
“I’m just trying to shoot as much as I can,” Gauthier said. “Coach has been harping on us that we don’t shoot pucks enough, so I’m trying to make up for some of the guys that don’t shoot it as much. Just trying to get pucks on net and hopefully, they go in.”
The Ducks will next head up the 5 Freeway to take on the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday evening.
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