Ducks vs Blackhawks RECAP: A Close Run Thing

The Anaheim Ducks came into Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks with a 9-6 record. On Friday night, Ryan Getzlaf took a long pass from Troy Terry and put the game winning overtime goal past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom. That game was regular season contest number 999 in Getzlaf’s career, which set up an emotional Sunday evening celebrating his 1,000th game. It’s hard to believe, but the longtime Anaheim captain has 125 playoff matches under his belt as well.

Ondrej Kase practiced on Saturday but was held out of Sunday’s game with a jaw injury. That allowed Nicolas Deslauriers to slot in. Korbinian Holzer was also scratched and replaced by Jacob Larsson. In the middle of a long homestand, Ryan Miller got the nod in goal.

First Period

Miller made an early save on a shot by Alex Nylander. Soon afterward, Robin Lehner got his first touch on a long dump by Hampus Lindholm. Nick Ritchie made a pass to Getzlaf, but Lehner turned away his wrister

Heavy pressure forced Chicago to ice the puck, then Erik Gustafsson was sent to the sin bin for tripping Rickard Rakell. Comtois fired a promising shot on a rebound generated by Getzlaf, but Lehner was equal to the task.

Josh Mahura was whistled for hooking Ryan Carpenter right after the Ducks power play expired. The arena then played a video tribute honoring Getzlaf for his milestone achievement.

Derek Grant broke in shorthanded, and a short while later Jakob Silfverberg took a long shot on net. Miller made nice saves on Jonathan Toews and Adam Boqvist. After the power play ended, Nylander skated behind the Anaheim net. He shoveled the puck to Boqvist, who scored from the top of the circle on a shot that nicked the post before going in. Toews was awarded the secondary assist and the score was 1-0 Hawks.

Lehner made a sprawling save on a bid by Steel. Unfortunately for the Ducks, Ritchie was called for delay of game after putting the puck over the glass. Then, Lindholm was put in the box for tripping to make it a two-man Chicago advantage. The Blackhawks would capitalize to make the score 2-0. Patrick Kane received a pass from Dominik Kubalik and slid the puck across to Alex DeBrincat for the tap-in.

Miller saved it from becoming a three-goal game by stopping Dylan Strome on the doorstep. Grant had a golden opportunity but couldn’t convert a breakaway with Anaheim still down a man. The period would end with the shots favoring the visitors 15-11.

Second Period

Miller turned away an early Brent Seabrook slapper. Carpenter was then busted for hooking Carter Rowney. The Ducks responded with a couple of scrambles in front looking to cut the deficit in half, but they were unable to do so. Silfverberg’s slap shot as the penalty expired may have been the finest chance of the two minutes.

The Ducks would break through to make it 2-1 on a pinball style goal in the waning stages of the period. Erik Gudbranson fired the puck just in front of the blue line, and it hit Olli Maatta near the net before finding the twine. Sam Steel grabbed the primary assist with Getzlaf getting the other.

Rakell tried to pick the top corner, but Lehner gloved his shot. After the ensuing faceoff, Silfverberg hit the right post. The period ended with Chicago holding a 27-25 shot advantage.

Third Period

Kane made a nice move on Gudbranson, but Miller got a piece of his shot with the goal stick. Lindholm took an early interference penalty, but Toews wiped out the man advantage by slashing Rakell. Despite vehement protests, Toews would pick up another slashing infraction when he made contact with the hands of Adam Henrique. The Ducks had a full two minutes with the extra man and wouldn’t waste them. Cam Fowler found Steel, who put some zip on his pass in front. Ritchie buried it to make the score 2-2.

Rakell and Steel both had terrific chances, only to be stymied by Lehner. Not long afterward, Ritchie came close to scoring a second goal. With about seven minutes left in regulation, Carter Rowney was handed a marginal tripping penalty drawn by longtime pest Andrew Shaw. Miller would have to be sharp to turn away Shaw’s opportunity, then got a bit lucky when Boqvist hit the crossbar.

After the media timeout, Rakell ripped a shot but couldn’t put it home. With under a minute remaining in the third, Miller stopped Kubalik’s blast to set up overtime in Anaheim for the second consecutive game.

Overtime

After their first 14 games of the season were decided in regulation, the Ducks got the extra session against Vancouver to go their way. However, this one ended in a hurry and not in positive fashion. Like a nightmare straight out of 2015, Duncan Keith moved the puck to Toews who found Kane for the decisive goal. Final score: Chicago 3, Anaheim 2. Is it too late to bring back the 4-on-4 overtime format?

By The Numbers

Shots on Goal – ANA: 38 CHI: 37

5v5 CF% – ANA: 47.25% CHI: 52.75%

High Danger Chances For – ANA: 8 CHI: 5

Heat Map and Stat Card below

**All stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com

**Stat Card courtesy of hockeystatcards.com

3 Stars (as voted by the media)

1. Ryan Getzlaf - The first Anaheim Duck to play 1,000 games in the same sweater had an assist as well as four shots an goal.

2. Patrick Kane - Registered a goal and an assist, plus he might have had another tally if it weren’t for the knob of Miller’s stick

3. Sam Steel - He didn’t get credit for Gudbranson’s goal but ended up with two helpers.

Next Up

The Ducks will remain at home and face the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, November 5 at 7:00 PM Pacific Time.