(Chad Johnson makes his debut for the Anaheim Ducks, as the newly-acquired goaltender prepares to make one of his 21 saves. Teammate Carter Rowney and the New York Rangers’ Mats Zuccarello take positions in front of the net. Photo courtesy of Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images.)
The famous proverb that says “all good things must come to an end” certainly applies to the Anaheim Ducks, as Tuesday they snapped their four-game winning streak, and six-road-game winning streak.
The Ducks were less than a minute away from earning at least one point in the standings, with a great chance to pick up a second point during overtime. An OT goal would have completed their fifth straight victory. Anaheim was even enjoying a power play during that final minute, and could have pulled out a win during regulation. Everything seemed to be in the Ducks’ favor of continuing their hot streak.
But then, they choked.
With only 40 seconds remaining in the third period, Anaheim’s tendency to relinquish short-handed goals reared its ugly head again, and at the worst possible time. The Ducks gave up their embarrassing sixth shorty of the season, as the New York Rangers scored the game-winning goal in front of 17,590 fans at Madison Square Garden.
No words.
It just does not get uglier than that. Pathetic. It is bad enough to lose in the final minute, but while on a power play? Come on.
I will however cut the Ducks some slack only because they were clearly exhausted after having played the night before in Pittsburgh, while New York’s players looked fresh and well-rested. Anaheim played great for the first two periods, and led, 1-0, on a Pontus Åberg goal, and had out shot the Rangers, 14-10. For Åberg, that was his team-leading 11th goal of the season. The 25-year-old scored it from a steep angle, as his shot ricocheted off of an opponent, caromed between the goaltender’s pads, and into the net. How many times have we seen the Ducks score that way this season? I feel like we watch that formula at least once each game.
However, the Ducks ran out of gas, and the third period turned into a disaster. New York dominated the final 20 minutes, out shooting Anaheim, 14-1, and tied the score at 1-1 approximately half-way through the final stanza. Vladislav Namestnikov had the honors with New York’s tying goal. Kevin Hayes scored the shorty, and Filip Chytil added an empty-netter as the Ducks lost, 3-1. Too sloppy, and too many mistakes. That describes how the tired Anaheim crew performed late in the game.
As it was the second night of back-to-back contests, Anaheim rested John Gibson in favor of newly-acquired Chad Johnson. In his Anaheim debut, Johnson stopped 21-of-23 shots on goal, and to be honest, looked pretty good for most of the game.
However, that St. Louis Blues helmet that he wore could not have looked more out of place. Someone please give that man a Ducks face mask.
(Check out Chad Johnson‘s head gear. Photo courtesy of Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images.)
With the loss, Anaheim fell below .600 but remained 2-1 on their current road trip which continues Thursday in Boston against the Bruins. Until then, Let’s Go Ducks !!
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