ANAHEIM, Calif. – There have been methods to discuss by means of the issues over the past three video games, however because the Anaheim Ducks misplaced their fourth recreation in a row to fall out of first place in the Pacific Division, there was no method to go searching this one.
Anaheim got here out firing with a uncommon game-opening objective, however the Ducks turned sloppy in the impartial zone and free on the defensive facet of the puck, because the non-playoff St. Louis Blues rolled, 6-2, on Friday at Honda Center.
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Following a four-game win streak, the Ducks have misplaced 4 in a row (0-3-1) and right into a points-tie with now first-place Edmonton. The Oilers maintain the regulation wins tiebreaker, 30-24, with six video games to play.
“We even have a decent start, and then we gave them three goals in the first period that were definitely all our faults,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville mentioned. “They gave us a good education on playing a real solid team game, and we didn’t play with the urgency that was needed and are capable of sustaining their game. We chased the puck a lot.”
After dropping their first third-period blown-lead losses of the season in back-to-back video games, together with permitting the game-tying and go-ahead targets in the ultimate 99 seconds in San Jose on Wednesday, a bounce again was nearly anticipated from the Ducks.
That was not what Anaheim supplied on Friday.
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“We lost two really hard, hard games in a row,” Quenneville mentioned. “When I say that, those are tough defeats. I’m not saying that’s an excuse. You should be the opposite (tonight). Disappointed with the response.”
Ryan Poehling scored the opening objective of the sport for the Ducks and assisted on Jeffrey Viel’s first-period strike to tie the sport, 2-2, however the Ducks couldn’t regain that power over the course of the sport. Lukáš Dostál made 23 saves
“Just urgency, I think,” Poehling mentioned. “Honestly, Toronto, we played great for most of the minutes, and San Jose did the same thing. Just didn’t close it, and then tonight it was just a completely different story… I think it’s just a little bit of urgency to kind of tighten it up and play better on both things.”
The Ducks scored the sport’s first objective for simply the second time in the final eight video games and solely the fourth time in the 20 video games for the reason that Olympic break. Anaheim has now trailed in all 20 video games coming out of the break with a 11-7-2 file in that stretch.
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“We got four left at the home here,” Quenneville mentioned, “and we don’t have many games left to get excited, so let’s find a way to take care of our business, and we got a lot of business to take care of here.”
Anaheim (41-30-5, 87 factors) fell out of first place in the Pacific Division for the first time since March 15, as Edmonton (39-28-9, 87 factors) closed a five-point hole in simply over per week. Third-place Vegas (34-26-16, 84 factors) sits simply three factors again.
Anaheim is now even in video games performed with the Oilers and Knights.
The Ducks proceed the ultimate homestand of the common season with the second half of this back-to-back in opposition to Ryan Strome and the Calgary Flames on Saturday.
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“Everyone is aware of the state of affairs that we’re in,” Poehling said. “We all know what we want to do tomorrow evening.”
Concerns for Defense, Dostál
The most glaring issue in the Ducks game on Friday was the defense, as most of St. Louis’ goals simply came far too easy.
Quenneville said the Blues’ first three goals were all the Ducks’ fault, and he’s not wrong.
On the first St. Louis goal, Anaheim got three men back on a rush sequence, but the Ducks just let Robert Thomas behind unscathed for the easy breakaway and finish to tie the game.
“It’s uncontested, and those type of plays can’t happen, especially early in the game,” Quenneville said.
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St. Louis’ first go-ahead goal was an open shot that cleanly beat Dostál five-hole, and the Blues’ second go-ahead goal started with a miscommunication between Leo Carlsson and Ian Moore on a loose puck at center ice that became a turnover. St. Louis scored on the ensuing odd-man rush for a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.
In filling in for an injured Pavel Mintyukov in the last two games on the left side of a pair with John Carlson, Moore has been out for six of the Ducks last 10 goals against, including three on Friday, and Carlson has been on the ice for nine of the last 10 goals against.
“Moore’s played left D, right D (and forward). Without the left D there, we’ve been trying different things,” Quenneville. “Who’s gonna go on the right, on the left side? And we’re still trying to play around with it, so that’s probably been the biggest issue (with Moore).”
St. Louis’ first goal came on the first shot of the game with another early goal scored on Dostál.
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Over the course of the season, Dostál has been generally strong, particularly through most of March. Preface these notes with the fact that the Ducks would likely not be where they are in the standings without the timely play of their goaltender.
However, in Dostál’s last 10 games entering Friday, the 25-year-old Czech netminder had posted a negative goals saved above expected (-1.7 GSAx) – good for 45th out of the 72 NHL goalies that have played at least 10 games this season. Ville Husso has a positive GSAx (+2.0) in his last 10 games – 25th best among that contingent.
Entering tonight, Dostál was 5-4-1 in his last 10 games.
Across his 51 games played before Friday, Dostál is 31st of 72 with +2.1 GSAx this season, and Husso is 35th at +0.4 GSAx in 18 games played.
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“Our goaltending has been good all year,” Quenneville said.
Injury Report: Gauthier, Gudas, Mintyukov remain out day-to-day
Anaheim’s injured masses remained out against St. Louis on Friday, as Anaheim once again played without leading goal scorer Cutter Gauthier (upper-body), captain Radko Gudas (lower-body) and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower-body).
All three were making “a little progress,” in accordance to Quenneville, however every remained with a day-to-day designation.
It was reported that there was hope for Gauthier to return this weekend, however Quenneville mentioned he’s nonetheless unlikely to play tomorrow in opposition to Calgary.“He’s transferring higher at the moment,” Quenneville mentioned at morning skate. “Tomorrow, he’d be questionable at best.”
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Gauthier left Monday’s recreation after scoring a objective in opposition to the Maple Leafs, however he didn’t journey to San Jose on Wednesday.
Both Gudas and Mintyukov have been first injured final Thursday in Calgary, missed Saturday’s recreation in Edmonton and returned to the line-up on Monday in opposition to Toronto. Both travelled to San Jose, however neither performed on Wednesday or Friday.
Troy Terry skipped Friday’s morning skate with one other upkeep day, however he once more stayed in the line-up.
Jansen Harkins underwent profitable hand surgical procedure on Monday and is out for 4 weeks. Ross Johnston stays week-to-week with a decrease physique harm.
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Playoff Magic Numbers
At (41-30-5) 87 factors, the Ducks’ magic quantity (mixed quantity of factors received by Anaheim and misplaced by the first crew out of a playoff spot) to clinch its first playoff berth since 2018 is seven.
San Jose (36-31-7, 79 factors) now occupies the ultimate wild card spot in the West in a three-way tie with one fewer recreation performed than Los Angeles (30-26-19, 79 factors) and Nashville (35-31-9, 79 factors). St. Louis (32-30-12, 76 factors) and Winnipeg (32-30-12, 76 factors) sit three factors again of that group.
If the Sharks received their remaining slate, they might attain 95 factors. If the Predators or Kings received their remaining video games, they might get to 93 factors. If the Blues or Jets received their remaining slate, they might attain 90 factors. Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg at the moment have the regulation wins tiebreaker on Anaheim.
Anaheim’s magic quantity to clinch the Pacific Division title is 13, with Edmonton succesful of hitting 99 factors and holding the regulation wins tiebreaker.