The Ducks set out on their four-game road trip to the Eastern time zone, beginning on Monday with a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.
THN Anaheim Ducks Show – 12/09/24
The Ducks entered this game on a two-game skid and having lost three of their previous four games.
The Habs came into this game in a similar position in the league standings but won two of their last three games.
Jacob Trouba made his Ducks debut in this game. The newest Duck was paired with the longest-tenured Duck, Cam Fowler.
Brian Dumoulin had a new partner in this game as well, Ducks’ captain Radko Gudas.
Pavel Mintyukov served as a healthy scratch for the third game in a row, this time next to Drew Helleson.
Lukas Dostal got the start in this game for the Ducks for just the second time in the Ducks’ last six. He stopped 19 of the 21 shots he faced in this game.
Opposing Dostal was Sam Montembeault for Montreal, who stopped 27 of 29 shots and saved 1.47 goals above expected.
Here are my notes from this game:
Troy Terry: This game was the Troy Terry show. He was dominant from the opening faceoff. His anticipation continues to be supremely refined as pucks seem to find ways onto his stick in every zone.
He’s manipulating with his skating, changing pace at will and opening his hips to freeze defenders. He keeps his feet moving in the offensive zone and when his teammates are shifting, rotating, and weaving with him, it leads to impeccably dangerous chances. He deserved at least a hat trick in this game.
Jacob Trouba: Trouba gave the Ducks what they were likely hoping for on both ends of the ice. He played with a much greater sense of urgency than in his latter days with the New York Rangers.
He was likely the most active defenseman in the offensive zone (no small feat when the Ducks employ Olen Zellweger). Without the puck, he was reading holes to fill from the top of the zone in hopes of opening lanes and ice for teammates to operate.
Defensively, his gaps were tighter than he had shown recently. Even when the Ducks were hemmed in and his shift time exceeded two minutes, he remained in sound defensive position with an active stick to break plays up.
Penalty Kill: The Ducks’ PK has gone through some extensive adjustments and is now far more aggressive toward the perimeter than it was at the beginning of the season.
They have now eliminated time and space for opponents at the top of the umbrella, but if the second layer isn’t diligent, seams underneath the high pressure can lead to goals, as displayed by Montreal’s first in this game.
Mason McTavish: Aside from his overtime shift, McTavish was less frantic and more in control of his movements with the puck on his stick. The game seemed to slow down for him and he was able to diagnose defensive structures in front of him more precisely.
His presence was felt on the forecheck and driving to the net, but it didn’t result in goals for him or his linemates in this one.
The Ducks will next travel to Ottawa to take on the Senators on Wednesday night.
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