The Anaheim Ducks earned their first win of the season last night, defeating the San Jose Sharks 7-6 in overtime.
The Ducks had two lineup changes from their season opener. Petr Mrazek got the start, while Nikita Nesterenko checked in on the fourth line, in place of Sam Colangelo.
For the second game in a row, the Ducks fell behind early. Will Smith fed the puck to Tyler Toffoli on a delayed penalty call, who beat Petr Mrazek with a one-timer under four minutes into the game. Then after Troy Terry hit a post, Ryan Reaves extended the Sharks’ lead, driving down the wing to beat Mrazek on a shot that really shouldn’t have found its way in.
The Ducks did manage to respond though. Only 41 seconds after the Reaves goal, Cutter Gauthier got a chance on a partial break, and snuck a shot through Yaroslav Askarov to cut the lead in half. Then later in the frame on a Ducks power play, Beckett Sennecke was able to bury a rebound off, tying the game.
The Ducks had another power play opportunity before the end of the frame, but couldn’t capitalize. As a result, the teams went to intermission at 2-2, with Anaheim leading 14-7 in shots.
The Sharks reinstated the lead early into the third period though, when a loose was finished off by Mario Ferraro. However, the Ducks responded quickly once again. Mikael Granlund fed a perfect stretch pass up ice to Alex Killorn, who beat Askarov to tie the game.
Anaheim found themselves in penalty trouble from there though, taking four penalties in an eight-minute stretch. San Jose took advantage, first off a point shot from John Klingberg on a 5-on-3, which found its way in through traffic. Then with the Ducks shorthanded again later in the period, Adam Gaudette took a pass from behind the net to beat Mrazek, extending the lead to 5-3.
The Ducks did have a power play of their own late in the period though and made it count, with Chris Kreider burying a loose puck, cutting the lead to one after 40 minutes.
San Jose jumped up by two once again early in the third period though, where Jeff Skinner won a puck battle in front, and managed to fire a puck through Mrazek, to make it a 6-4 game. But Anaheim responded five minutes later, as Cutter Gauthier tipped in a point shot from Mason McTavish, cutting the lead to one again. Then with Anaheim pressing late for the tie with the net empty, Chris Kreider managed to bury a rebound with under a minute to go, sending the contest to overtime.
In the extra frame, the Ducks had a chance off a rush and Leo Carlsson ended it early, firing a shot past Askarov to give the Ducks the 7-6 overtime win.
Ducks show resiliency to battle back
One of the bigger takeaways from the game was the Ducks’ resiliency to overcome deficits. In the loss to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, the Ducks really seemed to have all momentum halted when they fell behind in the second period.
On Saturday though, the Sharks led through most of the game, with three separate two-goal leads. This also came despite the Ducks controlling a lot of the contest, and outshooting the Sharks by a 43-23 margin. So Anaheim staying in this one and earning the win marked a bit of a contrast from the season opener.
Anaheim generating more offense, ‘Kid line’ leads the way
Perhaps the biggest positive over Anaheim’s first two games is that the team has been able to generate quite a bit of offense. Through two games, the Ducks have managed 79 shots (36 against Seattle, and 43 against San Jose). For reference, the Ducks only managed more than 35 shots in six games through all of the 2024-25 season.
Leading the way has been the Ducks’ ‘Kid Line’, made up of Mason McTavish, Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke. The trio has combined for four goals and nine points across the team’s first two games. It’s a small sample size, but the line has clicked right from the get-go, and look to be the team’s main source of offense early on.
Ducks still need to limit goals early in periods
One of the more concerning things we can take away from the first two games of the season has been the Ducks’ allowance of goals early into a period. In all six regulation periods they’ve played, their opponent has scored first, and has done so within the first six minutes of the frame.
The Ducks haven’t held a lead this season, and surrendering early goals every period has left them chasing the game.
Mrazek has an off night in Ducks’ debut
The Ducks had to overcome subpar goaltending in order to get the win last night. Petr Mrazek, who was making his regular season Ducks’ debut after being acquired this summer, allowed six goals on 23 shots. While he can’t be faulted for lot of the goals against, both the Ryan Reaves and Jeff Skinner tallies were ones that really shouldn’t have found a way in.
Anaheim was able to overcome it, but Mrazek’s lacklustre debut would be a bigger talking point if the Ducks had lost the game.
Important win for Ducks
It may not have been the prettiest win, but this was one that the Ducks really needed. It’s early in the season, but the Ducks’ first two games came against Western Conference teams who missed the playoffs last year. If Anaheim wants to get back to the postseason, those are ones they desperately need to win.
Anaheim’s offense has looked more dangerous through two games, and the team’s ‘Kid Line’ in particular has delivered reason for excitement.
The Ducks will be back in action on Tuesday, for their home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
