The first period has not been kind to the Anaheim Ducks recently, but then again the Ducks haven't been very kind to their opponents in the second and third periods.
Anaheim knocked off the Nashville Predators 4-3 in the honky-tonk despite falling behind 2-0 in the games opening moments.
It marked the third consecutive games in which they Ducks slept walked through the first period. They trailed 2-0 after one versus Vancouver on Jan. 5, before winning the game 4-3. They didn't surrender a goal in the opening period against the Boston Bruins two nights ago, but they were out shot 16-3 before pulling out a rather lopsided 5-2 victory and tonight they manged to escape from another 2-0 hole to skate away with the win.
I'm sure it's not the game plan that Bruce Boudreau draws up before each game, but it doesn't seem to matter these days because the Ducks just keep on trucking.
Anaheim improved their NHL best record to 33-8-5 with 71 points and widened their lead in the Pacific Division to nine points over the San Jose Sharks. It was the teams fifth win in a row and 15th in the last 16 games. Yes Virginia, it looks like there really is a Santa Claus!
Anaheim also set a club record by scoring at least four goals in five consecutive game. Boom goes the dynamite!
It was not the best start of the season for goalie Frederik Andersen, but he was good when he had to be. Andersen improved his season record to 10-2-0.
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The story of the game was once again the play of the Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Matt Beleskey line. The trio combined for three goals and six points. Getzlaf had two goals (21,22) and an assist and he single-handedly brought his team back from the dead.
With his team down by a pair of goals, the captain took it upon himself to get the game evened up. Getzlaf scored his first goal less than a minute into the second period and then buried the equalizer a few minutes later.
It was another brilliant night for Getzlaf and it keeps him in the mix for the Hart Trophy.
Perry scored his 25th goal of the season and Beleskey, who was playing on the top line in place of the injured Dustin Penner, added two assists of his own.
Teemu Selanne scored the game-winning goal with 1:08 left in the second to complete Anaheim's four goal outburst in the middle frame. It was only the fifth goal of the season for Selanne and just his second in the last 29 games.
It might not have been the prettiest win, but a win is a win is a win and the Ducks have plenty of them.
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I really don't know what else to say about this team. Every night its something new, whether its a big comeback, or a timely goal from an unlikely hero, a big save from any one of their goalies, or just another sensational night from the top line - this team can do it all.
Just how good have the Ducks been this season?
- They have score 155 goals this season. That ranks third in the NHL. - Anaheim has the best goals for percentage at 63.6 percent and the seventh-fewest shots allowed. - They are in the top third of the league in hits and blocked shots. - They average 32.1 shot on goal to just 27.5 against. - They have won eight consecutive games at home and its the second tome they have done that this season. - They are the only team without a regulation loss at home (18-0-2). - They are outscoring their opponents 79-38 at Honda Center. - They have six players in the top 20 for plus/minus. - They have eight players with at least 20 points. - They have scored at least four goals in 19 of their 46 games. That means they are scoring at that pace in over 41% of the games they play.
I could probably keep going but I think you catch my drift.
As always...thanks for reading!
P.S. Here's a fight for your enjoyment!
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