Another game, another win. These are the days of the
Anaheim Ducks lives. This time is was
Andrew Cogliano delivering the knockout punch to the jaw of another Central Division foe.
The Detroit Red Wings and Ducks were tied 2-2 at the end of two periods when Anaheim's offense kicked into high gear. Cogliano snapped the tie just over a minute into the third and
Bobby Ryan tallied 48 seconds later. Both goals came off bad turnovers by Red Wings defensemen in the neutral-zone. Cogliano put the game way out of reach with his second goal of the game and period.
Wings defenseman
Niklas Kronwall coughed it up on Cogliano's first goal, and Ian White was the culprit on the Ryan goal. When a team is playing as good as the Ducks are right now other teams can't afford to make many mistakes. The Wings made plenty of them and they paid for it.
Corey Perry and
Matt Beleskey also scored for the Ducks who won for the fourth time in five games on the current six-game road trip. The trip concludes tonight against the Predators in Nashville.
It was the Ducks fourth straight win over a Central Division opponent this season.
With his two goals, Cogliano became the ninth Anaheim player to score at least four goals this season.
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Viktor Fasth was good again in the win. I can't say enough about this guy. He continues to impress everybody and especially his teammates.
"He's been our most valuable player," Ryan said. "He has come in and given us a chance to win every game. He's a true professional."
Fasth made 26 saves for his seventh victory in as many starts. He is the first goalie to accomplish such a feat in the last seven seasons. The 30-year-old is very close to getting his name in the NHL record books for his incredible start.
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Bill Durnan holds the record for most wins by a rookie to start a career with 10. He did that way back in 1943-44. (Fasth is technically not a rookie because he is older than 25)
BUT
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George Hainsworth holds the record for most consecutive wins by a goalie in his first NHL season with 11. That was accomplished in 1926-27.
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Grant Fuhr has the longest undefeated streak by a goaltender in his first NHL season with 23 games (1981–82)
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Patrick Lalime holds the NHL record for the longest undefeated streak to start a career with 16.
By the way Fasth and the Ducks are playing it's possible one or two of those records may be in jeopardy.
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The Ducks are now an impressive 10-2-1 with 21 points and sit all alone atop the Pacific Division. After tonight's game in the Nashville they head home for four on the next five games.
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On last thought: I received an email reminding me of something that I has overlooked.
Three of the top four NHL plus-minus leaders play for the Anaheim Ducks. Sheldon Souray and Francois Beauchemin are one and two with a big plus-13. Saku Koivu is fourth with a plus-12.
When you look closer you can really see how amazing this is for the Ducks.
Souray was almost an afterthought addition by GM Bob Murray. He struggled with his health the last couple of seasons, but his career has been resurrected in Anaheim. He already has seven points (4g 3a) through 13 games. His two power play goals matches his PPG total form the last two seasons combined.
Koivu is averaging over a point-per-game and is playing some of his most consistent hockey in years.
What can I say about Beauch? He was a minus-14 last season with 22 points in 82 games. In his first 13 this season he already has six points (2g 4a) to go with his plus-13.
The hot start for the Ducks is truly a total team effort from top to bottom.
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