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The Anaheim Ducks continued to lose ground in the Western Conference yesterday, falling 3-0 to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Ducks were without Simon Benoit, Cam Fowler, John Gibson, Anthony Stolarz and Troy Terry, who were all in COVID protocol, while Sonny Milano was injured.
The Ducks didn’t start well once again, giving up multiple quality rush chances and surrendering 15 shots in the period. However, Lukas Dostal was good for the Ducks in just his second NHL start and it remained scoreless after the period.
Anaheim had some great chances on a power play early in the second period, with the puck being cleared off the goal line in one instance, but it was the Blackhawks who struck first. Just as the man advantage expired, Erik Gustafsson came out of the penalty box and raced down ice, then fed a pass to Brandon Hagel who opened the scoring for Chicago. The Ducks did generate some really good chances after that but still couldn’t manage to convert and the Blackhawks took a 1-0 lead into the second intermission.
Chicago managed to extend their lead just a few minutes into the third period on a power play, as Alex DeBrincat got a great pass through to Patrick Kane, who scored into an open net. The Ducks pressed with some decent opportunities and sustained some pressure after that, but Dominik Kubalik sealed the deal with an empty net goal, securing a 3-0 win for Chicago.
Despite the Ducks being shut out, the main concern here for me wasn’t necessarily their offense. They generated 37 shots and some great opportunities and while they couldn’t find a way to bury their chances, that’s not likely to be a recurring trend if they manage to create opportunities like that from game to game.
The larger issue was how the Ducks performed – and have been performing – defensively. Over the last stretch of games, there have been many, many more quality chances allowed off the rush. Anaheim has not looked good defensively, with a combination of turnovers, poor positioning and sometimes just a general lack of urgency.
The one bright spot in the game was Lukas Dostal, who continues to be excellent since joining the Ducks. He’s posted a .929 save percentage through his three appearances.
The Ducks have now dropped eight of their last 10 games and sit ninth in the Western Conference in points percentage. Anaheim’s next game comes on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche.
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OTHER ARTICLES FROM JANUARY
Ducks can’t stop losing skid, fall to Avalanche
Troy Terry scores hat trick as Ducks pick up win over Flyers
Ducks’ game vs. Red Wings postponed
Ducks fall 4-1 to Rangers
Lukas Dostal earns win in NHL debut, Ducks beat Red Wings in shootout
Ducks’ recent slide continues with loss to Penguins
Ducks claim Lucas Elvenes off waivers
John Gibson selected for NHL All-Star Game
Ducks drop another one, fall 7-3 to Wild 
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