Ducks vs Stars RECAP: Miller High Life. The Champagne of Saves.

Anaheim has made it 4 consecutive wins, along with back-to-back shutout performances, as the Ducks beat the Dallas Stars 2-0. This is the first time this season the Ducks have reached 4 wins in a row, and they made sure it was an exciting one. It had everything—wild scoring chances, stellar goaltending, a Beauchemin turnover. I don’t think I’ve heard the Anaheim crowd so loud this season.

Up by one heading into the third is when the game really got intense as the Ducks started to be the classic Ducks and take penalties (4 in a row to be exact). Ryan Miller drew in net, as John Gibson is out with an undisclosed injury, and he was lights out. With 24 saves in the third period alone, Miller delivered his second shutout performance in as many games. The Ducks delivered an incredible defensive effort to compliment Miller’s performance and had the Stars fuming with frustration. So much the Stars started fighting with the Ducks after the game concluded.

The Ducks knew they needed to keep their recent level of play going. They came out with some speed and had an edge in scoring chances. The Stars had their fare chances as well however. Their best chance coming with about 8 minutes remaining as Brett Ritchie rung the post. It seems both Ritchie brothers are capable of doing things, and both know how to disappoint their fans.

The Ducks were able to draw a penalty with 7 minutes remaining. On the ensuing faceoff, Ryan Getzlaf ended up with the puck near the right point. He moved forward and shot it on net. The puck rebounded right to Hampus Lindholm on the opposite side and he had a wide open net to finish off the goal.

As mentioned, it wouldn’t be a game without a turnover by one of the Ducks aging veteran defenseman (Beachemin or Bieksa). Tonight Beachemin slotted in and gave the puck up right in front of Miller. Fortunately Miller was able to come up big with the save and push it to the side.

The second period rolled along with both teams generating some chances. Corey Perry was a part of several high scoring chances for the Ducks during the period. He got an open chance early when he was all alone in front of the net with the puck, but he couldn’t elevate his shot enough and Ben Bishop made the glove save.

Several minutes later, Perry had another opportunity. On the rush into the zone, Perry hit the breaks in the slot and dangled the puck freezing the defenders. He turned and fired a shot, but it was blocked. The puck bounced right back to Perry where he got another shot off, but Bishop made the save.

And then the third period began. Dallas forced an early turnover and hit Alexander Radulov on a breakaway chance. Cam Fowler was forced to take a penalty to disrupt the play as Miller made the save. With :40 seconds remaining on the penalty, Getzlaf dumped a puck over the glass to make it a 5-on-3. Off the very next faceoff, Josh Manson got the puck and also dumped it over the glass meaning 2 minutes of 5-on-3.

Endless power play time for the Stars meant only one thing—it was Miller-time! Miller stood tall and made countless saves against an onslaught of scoring chances by the Stars. As Getzlaf got out of the box, he was able to skate over and disrupt the power play that was a 5-on-4. He dumped the puck out of the zone, but chased it down as the Stars were caught sleeping. Bishop went out to poke it, but Getzlaf beat him to the puck and poked it away, giving him an empty net to shoot and score on.

The Ducks of course followed this up by taking yet another penalty. They were able to kill it and go flawless on the penalty kill for the night. The Stars pulled the goalie with just over 3 minutes remaining and began barraging the net with shots as the Ducks went into full defend-mode. Miller made several more stellar saves and the Ducks held off the Stars late push, winning 2-0 in regulation.

The win puts the Ducks at 73 points on the season and currently holding the third spot in the Pacific Division standings. They’ll defend their win streak Saturday when they host the Arizona Coyotes. Puck drops at 4pm PST.