Ducks @ Capitals MORNING THOUGHTS: You Will Not Believe How This One Ended

The Anaheim Ducks were able to jump out to a 2-0 lead over the Washington Capitals, but they would go on to blow that lead in the 3rd period and eventually lose 3-2 in overtime from an absolute rocket of a shot from Alex Ovechkin. Certainly not the way the Ducks were hoping it would go after bringing a 2-0 lead into the 3rd period, but the classic Carlyle turtle defense took over and that was the result.

The Ducks inability to do anything except for sit on leads late in games looks to be a very serious problem, and certainly not one that any Ducks fans will want to see come playoff time. Anaheim has to find better ways to close out games and find ways to limit pressure late when they are protecting a lead.

At least someone knows?

Best & Worst

Best

John Gibson - It’s not even a surprise anymore. The Ducks have a solidified top-5 goaltender in the NHL and he continued his dominance against the Caps, making a number of huge saves that could have seen this game go a lot worse for Anaheim with a different goalie.

The First Two Periods - The Ducks first two periods against Washington looked like an entirely different Anaheim team. Shame they could only stick around for 40 of the 60 minutes, because they outshot the Caps, limited chances defensively, and kept the pressure on in the offensive zone.

Special Teams/Discipline? - Power play 1/1 and penalty kill.....*squints*....0/0? The Ducks didn’t take a penalty all game. Well...I take that back. They didn’t get called for a penalty all game.

Worst

Overtime - Yeah. Moving on.

Everything Else - Blown leads through turtle defense leads to coal in everyone’s stockings (except you, John Gibson. You’re getting presents). Happy Holidays Anaheim.

3 Stars of the Game

3. John Gibson - One of the only reasons this game even ended up in overtime in the first place. Could have easily been a regulation loss without some big saves early on.

2. Braden Holtby - A couple crucial saves in OT against Rickard Rakell helped lift the Caps to the win through Ovechkin less than a minute later. Stick taps for the acrobats well out of the crease.

1. Alex Ovechkin - Just look at this OT goal. What can you even do?