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The Anaheim Ducks dropped the second game of their Eastern road trip tonight, falling 6-4 to the New York Rangers.
Jakob Silfverberg was out with an illness, while both Nathan Beaulieu and Simon Benoit were scratched, so both Brett Leason and Colton White made their regular season debut with the Ducks. The game also marked the first time Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano were playing their former team, following the Rangers' run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
The Rangers generated the bulk of the shots in the first half of the opening frame and after Mason McTavish took a penalty for flipping the puck over the glass, Vincent Trocheck redirected a pass past John Gibson on the ensuing power play to open the scoring. Then as the Rangers continued to control the frame, Trocheck returned the favour on another power play, feeding Zibanejad in front with a nice pass, who roofed the puck over Gibson to extend the lead. Frank Vatrano did get one back for the Ducks before the end of the period though, ripping a shot past Igor Shesterkin to cut the lead to 2-1 after 20 minutes.
Trevor Zegras got the game even early in the second period, taking a nice pass from Troy Terry on a rush and beating Shesterkin.
Zibanejad reinstated the lead for the Rangers a little later though, as after his initial shot was shopped, the rebound banked off Kaapo Kakko and bounced right back at the net, finding its way in. The Rangers really took over after that goal and ended up outshooting Anaheim 18-5 in the frame. With just over two minutes to go in the period, Alexis Lafreniere took a pass from Filip Chytil in front that went right through Kevin Shattenkirk’s feet and beat Gibson to double the lead. Then with only 34 seconds to go, Artemi Panarin entered the Ducks zone with possession and ripped a shot past Gibson, to put the Rangers up 5-2 after the second period.
In the third period, Max Comtois was able to pull the Ducks back to within two goals, taking a nice pass from Kevin Shattenkirk and burying a one-timer. A little later in the period though, on yet another Rangers power play, Zibanejad one-timed a pass from Panarin past Anthony Stolarz, who once again came in to replace Gibson for the third period. Derek Grant did make it 6-4 with a few minutes to go, but that's as close as Anaheim would come.
The Ducks were outshot by a huge 43-22 margin overall and it was another reminder that the team still has a ways to go. Over their first three games of the year, Anaheim has now been outshot 129-72, an average of 43-24 per game.
They’ve also now allowed 17 goals over their first three games. While John Gibson doesn’t have much help at all, it’s tough to see him pulled in back to back games. The Ducks’ penalty kill was also brutal though, killing off just one of four of New York’s power plays. So far this year, Anaheim has given up six goals over just 13 times shorthanded.
The Ducks don't look great and still have three more games to go in their road trip. Anaheim will be back in action tomorrow night against the New Jersey Devils.
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 
Anaheim Ducks Blogger • 
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