The Anaheim Ducks suffered their second loss of the season last night, falling 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Ducks fell behind in the back half of the first period, when Mikael Granlund turned the puck over, and Seth Jarvis was eventually able to capitalize. Carolina then had a great chance to increase the lead shortly after, where Taylor Hall had a wide open net, but Jacob Trouba made a great play to get his stick on Hall’s shot. As a result, the Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead to the intermission.
After dominating the first half of the second frame, Carolina managed to extend their lead. Following a Ducks’ power play chance that went nowhere, the Hurricanes managed to capitalize on an opportunity of their own, with Seth Jarvis wiring home a one-timer, to make it 2-0.
However, Leo Carlsson was able to pull the game back to within one, getting a shot through Frederik Andersen on a rush. The goal seemed to wake the team up, and Anaheim had the momentum in the second half of the period. Despite quite a few chances though, they couldn’t capitalize, and Carolina remained ahead through 40 minutes.
The Hurricanes were able to reinstate their two goal lead early in the third period, when Sebastian Aho found Alexander Nikishin in the slot, who beat Lukas Dostal. Anaheim did have some power play opportunities in the frame, but couldn’t capitalize. Carolina then put the game away with about four minutes to go, when Jackson LaCombe turned the puck over, and Aho beat Dostal in-close.
Ducks fell behind once again
With the first period goal that was surrendered to Seth Jarvis, it marked four straight games to start the year where the Ducks gave up the first goal of the game. It also marks the fourth game in which the Ducks have faced a multi-goal deficit.
In consistently falling behind, the Ducks continue to put themselves in a position where they’re forced to battle back. Obviously though, it’s a bit more difficult to do so against a team like the Hurricanes.
Power play couldn’t connect
One of the takeaways from the Ducks’ two wins this season was how big of an impact their power play made. Over the wins over the Sharks and Penguins, Anaheim went 4-for-10 on the man advantage.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the same story against the Hurricanes. The Ducks went 0-for-4 on the power play last night, and struggled to get anything going on some of the opportunities. Of course, it doesn’t help that Carolina has had the best penalty kill in the NHL for much of the last half-decade. But if the Ducks had been able to connect on their opportunities in the third period, it could’ve been a difference-maker last night.
Outmatched by Hurricanes at times
The Ducks did come alive for the back half of the second period, following the Leo Carlsson goal. Over that stretch, they had all the momentum, and had multiple quality chances to tie the game.
However, for parts of the game, the Ducks looked a bit outmatched. There were stretches where Carolina really managed to shut down offense for the Ducks. Anaheim’s total of 24 shots was really only that high based on the strong window in the back half of the second period. The Hurricanes also caused a lot of issues for the Ducks’ defense on the forecheck, as expected.
Up to this point, the Ducks had faced a fairly low quality of competition. All of the Seattle Kraken, San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins were games where the Ducks matched up more evenly. Last night’s matchup against Carolina was their first test against a top team, and served as a reminder that the Ducks still have a little ways to go.
Important stretch of games coming up
Looking ahead, the Ducks will now set out for a five-game road trip. However, they do have an opportunity: The first three games of the trip will come against teams who missed the playoffs last season, with games against the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and Boston Bruins. It’s a good opportunity for Anaheim to try to push above the .500 mark.
