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The Anaheim Ducks continue to have success on their road trip, picking up a shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.
The teams traded goals in the first period, as the Blue Jackets opened the scoring about eight minutes in, with Alexandre Texier taking a nice pass from Eric Robinson and beating John Gibson. However, the Ducks tied the game quickly after that, as Isac Lundestrom took a loose puck and went all the way down ice on a partial breakaway, sliding the puck under Elvis Merzlikins. It was a fairly even frame, with Columbus leading 13-10 in shots.
It looked like the Blue Jackets had taken their lead back under a minute into the second period, but the goal was called back after an offside challenge. There weren’t a ton of great chances exchanged in the frame after that, though a lot of the period was spent in Ducks end and John Gibson notably did have to make a great save against Zach Werenski late in the period, which kept the game at 1-1 after 40 minutes.
The Blue Jackets continued to have a slight upper hand in the third period, generating more quality chances. Though the Ducks had some opportunities of their own, it seemed like Columbus was able to sustain more pressure. Regardless, the third period went by without either team being able to break the tie, so the game went to overtime.
There were some good chances in the extra frame, but the best one by far was a 2-on-1 for Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras, who may have overthought the play a little, and Merzlikins was able to break it up. After another scoreless period, the game went to a shootout.
After the first three shooters missed, Trevor Zegras snuck a puck through the five-hole on Merzlikins, to put the pressure on the Blue Jackets. While Jakub Voracek scored to extend it, Rickard Rakell deked out Merzlikins and roofed it to secure another win for the Ducks.
It was only an alright game overall for the Ducks, as they did look a bit flat at times. John Gibson had to be great, stopping 33 of 34 shots and denying some really good chances.
That said, it wasn't a poor game for the team and the benefit of having a great goalie is that when the Ducks may not be the better team, there’s the chance Gibson can bail them out. I wouldn’t go as far as saying he stole the game, as it wasn’t wildly lopsided by any means and Merzlikins made some very good saves as well, but Gibson played a key role in the win.
So the Ducks have now picked up five of a possible six points on what’s been a very successful road trip so far. Their next game will come against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, before they finish off their road trip against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.
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OTHER ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
Ducks begin five-game road trip tonight vs. Capitals
Ducks fall short against Capitals, lose in shootout
Ducks beat Sabres 2-0, Trevor Zegras pulls off incredible assist 
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