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The Anaheim Ducks dropped back-to-back games, losing to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday and the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
6-2 LOSS TO FLAMES
The Ducks got down early against the Flames, as Rasmus Andersson’s point shot was tipped in by Dillon Dube. Then later in the frame, Elias Lindholm buried a loose puck in front to extend Calgary’s lead. The Ducks actually did generate some good chances at the end of the first period and while they couldn’t capitalize before the end of the period, Sonny Milano put a nice shot past Jacob Markstrom early in the second period to cut the lead in half. The Flames extended their lead right back to two goals though, as Elias Lindholm made an excellent play to bank the puck off the boards and chase it down, then roof it over John Gibson. Then only 41 seconds later, Matthew Tkachuk took a pass on a rush and beat Gibson, making it 4-1 Calgary.
In the third period, the Ducks were outshot by a ridiculous 19-9 margin. While Isac Lundestrom did bring the game back to 4-2, an empty net goal from Johnny Gaudreau, then another late goal by Andrew Mangiapane secured a 6-2 win for the Flames.
7-3 LOSS TO OILERS
The Ducks opened the scoring, with Adam Henrique tipping in Cam Fowler’s point shot. Then later in the frame, Sonny Milano tipped in the puck at the front of the net for another power play goal and it was 2-0 Anaheim. The Oilers did get one back on a power play of their own before the end of the period though, as Evander Kane took a pass to beat John Gibson, who was back in net once again.
Things fell apart in the second period though, and the Oilers tied the game off a tip from Derek Ryan. Edmonton then took the lead just three minutes later, as Connor McDavid put a nice pass to Jesse Puljujarvi who was alone in front to bury it. Then just a few minutes after that, Ryan McLeod got a pass through to Leon Draisaitl who scored as well, making it a 4-2 game.
Warren Foegele converted early in the third period to increase the lead to 5-2 and while Trevor Zegras did beat Mike Smith from a bad angle to pull it closer again, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman both scored in the two minutes that followed, resulting in a 7-3 Oilers win.
The Ducks were outscored by a brutal 13-5 margin over the two games and the losses are deflating for sure. Anaheim looked pretty bad through both games, with countless terrible defensive mistakes. They were also outshot 84-58.
You have to feel for John Gibson, who had no support at times.
With the back-to-back losses, the Ducks’ positioning within the Pacific Division and Western Conference isn’t looking great. Anaheim has slipped all the way down to 11th in the Conference and there’s now a gap between them and teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars in points percentage.
Anaheim’s next game comes tomorrow night against the Vancouver Canucks, as they wrap up their three-game road trip.
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OTHER ARTICLES FROM FEBRUARY
Ducks wrap up road trip with overtime loss to Red Wings
Ducks hire Pat Verbeek as General Manager
Ducks name Scott Niedermayer Special Advisor to Hockey Operations
Ducks fall to Kraken in first game back after break 
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