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Ducks best McDavid and Company in Gibson's return |
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John Gibson made his triumphant return last, leading the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-2 win over the visiting Edmonton Oilers. Believe me when I tell you, that game ends differently without No. 36 between the pipes.
Hampus Lindholm, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler scored for Anaheim and Gibson made 30 saves to earn his first first since January 30th. Kris Russell and Anton Slepyshev scored for the Oilers. Connor McDavid had an assists and added three shots on goal.
Anaheim (27-19-10)s has wins in back-to-back games and improved to 15-9-3 at home. The Ducks, Sharks, Flames and Wild are all tied with 64 points. San Jose holds that third spot in the Pacific Division and Minnesota is temporarily filling that second WC position. Forget about that first WC spot, it has fallen out of reach for those teams. The Stars with their 70 points are white hot and just starting to hit their stride.
Sunday's game vs. San Jose should be feisty and ripe with playoff intensity. I can't wait.
A few observations from the game.....
- Overall I thought Anaheim played a good game. I could do without all the penalties and careless turnovers, but that's been the story of the 2017-18 Anaheim Ducks. I did find myself wondering how that Oilers team has been so bad. They have so much talent, team speed and goaltending to be, at the very least, a playoff team. The playoffs are better with the games best player in them
- Corey Perry is back? We have been treated to vintage No. 10 over these last few games. He scored again last night on a beautiful feed from Ryan Getzlaf. Perry beat Cam Talbot 5-hole to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead in the second period. Perry was around the net all night and came close to scoring several other times. The wily veteran has 11g and 32 points in 45 games this season. With seven points (3g 4a) in the last four games I think we can finally get off his back.
- We've been treated to some of Ryan Getzlaf's best hockey over the last two months or so. The captain was the main facilitator again last night. He sprung Perry free for his goal last and was a force once again.
- Thank the maker that John Gibson is back. He was outstanding in leading the Ducks to very important points. The Oilers speed gave the Ducks D fits, but Gibby was there to bail them out on several occasions. The goals he did allow were direct results of Anaheim miscues with Russell's goal being a bit lucky. I thought Gibson had a bead on it, yet Russell somehow corralled the puck with his skate to get a shot off.
P.S. - The new mask is fantastic.
- Rickard Rakell did not score last night, but he was a beast around the net. He had four shots on goal and appears the most confident he's been all season. If he keeps playing like he did last night the goals will come in bunches.
- Hampus Lindholm had a big game too. He had a goal and an assist on four shots. He scored the every important first goal of the game to get the Ducks going. That might have been the biggest goal he's scored in a while. We haven't seen this form No. 47 in a while. I want more of it.
- Lastly, can people please stop comparing Andrew Cogliano's speed to Connor McDavid? Cogs can go very fast in a straight line - that's it. That third period rush McDavid had where he took the puck at full speed end-to-end, head up the entire time, changed direction on a dime and shot the puck across his body is all the evidence you need to end that ridiculous argument. McDavid is the games best player for a reason. He cannot be compared to a bottom-6 NHLer known more for a streak he no longer has than his actual hockey skills.
Thanks for reading,
Steve
Colorado Avalanche Blogger • 
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