Anaheim Ducks defenseman (and previous New York Rangers’ captain) Jacob Trouba was set to face his former team for the first time as the Rangers visited Honda Center on Friday night. The Rangers had a lot to prove and critical points to gain against the Ducks. Going into Friday’s contest, the Rangers sat just two points out of an Eastern Conference wild card spot and needed to bounce back from a loss to the LA Kings and secure their first road trip win. The Ducks were feeling hot after a definitive 6-2 win against the Boston Bruins two nights before and were looking to continue their dominant play style. The Rangers are known for being a physical team, so the Ducks would need to utilize their heavy hitters to get the results they wanted.
Game Recap
The first period was off to a hot start for the Rangers, when Adam Fox put his team on the board when he buried a rebound after just two shots on goal. He was assisted by Artemi Panarin and K’Andre Miller. Though the Ducks had an early-game power play prior to Fox’s goal, they did not capitalize on it. The Rangers’ first power play came after a tripping penalty taken by Frank Vatrano. Despite the Rangers’ man advantage, Alex Killorn was able to gain possession of a loose puck and bring it coast-to-coast for a shorthanded Ducks goal–their second in as many games. The Rangers responded quickly, with J.T. Miller scoring on his backhand to send the Rangers to the locker room up by one.
Just 14 seconds into the second period, the Rangers took advantage of a turnover by the Ducks, and Alexis Lafreniere went bar down on Lukas Dostal to put New York up 3-1. While the Ducks seemed to dominate puck possession in the first period, the Rangers turned the tables in the second. Halfway through the frame, the shots on goal were 10-4 in favor of New York.
It was a penalty fest after the halfway mark of the game. Anaheim went on a much-needed power play after Carson Soucy cross-checked Vatrano; however, the man-up for the Ducks would last just 20 seconds before going to 4-on-4 play after an interference penalty by Ducks forward Trevor Zegras. Former Duck Urho Vaakanainen lost control of his skating and pushed Jackson LaCombe into the crease of Igor Shesterkin, earning himself a holding penalty–the Ducks were once again on a power play. After J.T. Miller was assessed a penalty for delay-of-game, he joined Vaakanainen in the penalty box to create a brief 5-on-3 situation for Anaheim. The Ducks had a handful of good looks and shots on goal during their power plays, but were unable to sneak one past Shesterkin. Lafreniere’s early goal was the only one of the period, and the Rangers’ dominance showed on the scoreboard as they held a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame.
Related: New York Rangers’ J.T. Miller Stepping Up Since Trade
The Ducks struck quickly to start the third period when Leo Carlsson fired a quick shot past Shesterkin. As is typical for the Rangers, however, they responded rapidly, when Mika Zibanejad whipped a one-timer into the back of the net and sent his team up 4-2. Back-to-back Ducks penalties from Troy Terry and Zegras gave the Rangers over a minute of 5-on-3 play, but Anaheim killed off the consecutive penalties and kept their deficit to only two goals. During the shuffle of penalties, Ducks’ forward Trouba went down the tunnel with a potential injury after tripping over Shesterkin and falling into the boards awkwardly. He did not return to the game.
Yet another penalty sent the Rangers to a power play, but no goals were scored. Just seconds after their successful penalty kill, the Ducks cut the Rangers’ lead to one. Cutter Gauthier was assisted by Leo Carlsson and Jackson LaCombe to get a much-needed goal for Anaheim. The seventh Rangers’ power play of the game occurred after a two-minute minor against Radko Gudas and was unsuccessful for New York. Shortly after, the Ducks were able to find a 4-on-2 breakaway for Olen Zellweger to score and tie up the game with roughly a minute and a half remaining in regulation.
Overtime lasted for less than a minute – Mason McTavish jammed the puck past New York’s netminder to lead the Ducks to a 5-4 victory over the visiting Rangers. This was McTavish’s first 20-goal season, and a four-point night for Carlsson. The Rangers will travel to San Jose to play the second of their back-to-back road games and will be looking to claim a win before heading back to Manhattan. The Ducks are visited by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday and will try to continue their home win streak.
