Ducks 4 – Oilers 2
The Ducks won by two goals, but that's not the point. After almost blowing a 3-0 lead in the third period, the winged warriors held on and even added an insurance goal at the end to put away the bottom-of-the-league Oilers 4-2. The win was Anaheim's sixth straight.
Rene Bourque, who I have been critical of his inclusion of the first line, had two assists in the game. Maybe two of the easiest assists ever, but that's not the point. The Ducks set a team record at the beginning of second, when Kyle Palmieri scored seven seconds into the period.
Ben Lovejoy's return to the lineup was a big boost. With all due respect to Corsi and Fenwick, the eyes told anyone who watched Duck games over the last month that Lovejoy is a key component of the defense. He and Fowler were reunited last night and it was as if a big weight were lifted off of Fowler. Number four was much more comfortable on the ice.
Additionally, Lovejoy's inclusion meant that Mark Fistric could go back to playing limited minutes. When Fistric was on the ice, he was able to play a more physical game which is more suited to his style. He didn't need to worry that if he drew a penalty, his team would be in an even bigger hole trying to kill it with rookie defensemen.
The biggest disappointment was that Duck Captain Ryan Getzlaf drew two penalties in the latter half of the game. One of those penalties led to the Oiler goal that cut the score to 3-2.
Sami Vatanen was the first star of the game with a goal and an assist. His coach Bruce Boudreau was impressed with the defenseman's performance. "He makes the great play on the pass to Palmieri, and then he scores," Boudreau said. Vatanen's first period wrist shot goal was a Ducks at Jets
The Ducks continue their road trip in Winnipeg today. There were no injuries last night so the lineup should be for the most part the same as yesterday.
Forwards Bourque-Getzlaf-DSP Beleskey-Kesler-Palmieri Cogliano-Rakell-Silfverberg Maroon-Thompson-Jackman
Defense Fowler-Lovejoy Lindholm-Fistric/Robak Stoner-Vatanen
Goalie Andersen LaBarbera
The Ducks beat Winnipeg on Sunday 4-3. Winnipeg will have an added incentive; they don't want two home losses to the same team in the same week on home ice.
Odds and Ends
Recent Duck signee Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 32 of 34 shots last night for the Norfolk Admirals. It wasn't good enough as the junior Ducks dropped a 3-1 decision to Springfield. Dany Heatley also played for the Admirals last night as he began his “extended conditioning assignment.
Frederik Andersen made his 17th consecutive start in goal last for the Ducks. Boudreau admitted that Andersen could use a break, but also said he didn't believe his number one goalie was “overly worked.…
After today's game, the Ducks have two days off before they play three game in four nights. Look for Bryzgalov or LaBarbera to start either Friday in Montreal or Saturday in Ottawa.
- Ed