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The Anaheim Ducks dropped their seventh game in a row last night, falling 4-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Ducks ended up scratching both Pavol Regenda and Brett Leason and instead going with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, with both Simon Benoit and Nathan Beaulieu in the lineup.
It was a relatively low-event frame for the most part, without a ton of action. However, Vegas started to generate some good chances near the end of the frame and while John Gibson came up with some good saves, Chandler Stephenson opened the scoring for Vegas on a power play with about five minutes to go, sliding the puck through Gibson.
The game got a bit chippy in the second frame but midway through the period, Vegas ended up with a shorthanded 2-on-1 and Reilly Smith capitalized, one-timing a pass from William Karlsson to double the lead. Then later in the frame, Jonathan Marchessault’s shot ramped off Mason McTavish’s stick and was then deflected in by William Karlsson, extending the Golden Knights’ lead again. Vegas wasn’t done there either, and with a minute to go, Nicholas Hague lobbed a puck down ice and it got by Kevin Shattenkirk, for Nicolas Roy to go in and roof a shot over Gibson, making it a four-goal game.
Anthony Stolarz came in to replace Gibson for the third period and the Ducks did put together a strong first half of the third frame, outshooting the Golden Knights by quite a margin. That said, they weren’t able to get on the board and ended up falling 4-0.
Despite the score, this really wasn’t a poor effort from the Ducks. They ended up limiting Vegas to just 22 shots and were getting opportunities – the Golden Knights were just able to bury their chances, while the Ducks couldn't capitalize.
A key story though was the fact that Jamie Drysdale was hurt in the second period off a hit from William Carrier. He left the ice with an apparent shoulder injury and didn’t return – the Ducks blue line is weak as is and if Drysdale ends up missing time, it would be a pretty huge blow for the defense group.
Even with a pretty decent effort though, the Ducks now find themselves at a 1-6-1 record, having lost their last seven games. While Anaheim has had a pretty tough schedule so far, it’s obviously a disastrous way to start the year.
Their next game comes tomorrow against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM OCTOBER
Trevor Zegras listed as day-to-day, Ducks sign Nathan Beaulieu
Ducks announce opening night roster, Josh Mahura claimed by Panthers
Ducks mount comeback in season opener to defeat Kraken in overtime
Ducks allow seven goals in blowout loss to Islanders
Ducks outmatched by Rangers, lose 6-4
Ducks blow lead against Devils, fall 4-2
Ducks’ losing streak now at four games after falling to Bruins in shootout
Ducks complete winless road trip with loss to Red Wings
Ducks’ losing streak reaches six games after falling to Lightning 
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