Ducks Cash In On Rebounds, Defeat Islanders 5-2

December 9, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu (11) celebrates a goal scored against against the New York Islanders by center Andrew Cogliano (7) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

I have the pleasure of writing a game recap of an Anaheim Ducks win! It’s the first time in a while that I’ve written a recap after a Ducks win. Honestly, it didn’t seem like it was going to be a winning recap until in the final minute of the second period. The New York Islanders were the better team for the entire first period and mostly due to their top line. In fact, that top line got the scoring started last night with a power play goal from John Tavares with a nice set up from Thomas Vanek. The Ducks tied it up with less than five minutes left in the period. Isles goaltender Anders Nilsson gave up a rebound and Saku Koivu cashed in before the net came of during a scuffle in front. The top line for the Isles would break the tie early in the second when Tavares won an offensive zone draw and Vanek hit his spot from the edge of the circle. That would be it for the Islanders last night though.

Late in the second period, Corey Perry would crash the net hoping for a rebound, but Nilsson would cover the puck up with his trapper. However, Nilsson proceeded to hold his stick up high, in an effort to protect himself, but it was too close to Perry’s face, so Perry gave him a shot. This led to a pretty big scuffle right behind the Isles’ net. Not surprisingly, the Ducks got the extra minor and would have to kill of a penalty at the end of the period. However, the Ducks would get a 3-on-1 after a nice poke check/pass from Cam Fowler to lead to the breakout and then Fowler would cash in on yet another Nilsson rebound. Everyone was getting ready for intermission, but with less than 10 seconds to go in the period, Winnik would make a drop pass back to Corey Perry as he entered the zone and Perry would toe drag around a defender, get tripped up by said defender and from his knees settle the puck and shoot it into the net. Arguably the goal of the year for the Ducks and one of the candidates for goal of the year for the entire league.

Perry would another goal to his tally in the third period, this time on the power play. Fowler would take a point shot and Nilsson would give up another juicy rebound, but Nick Bonino couldn’t beat the post on an empty net. Luckily the puck would ricochet off the post towards Perry who was standing to the side of the net and he would slam the puck into the empty net. That would end the scoring, however, Islander Matt Carkner would provide the last bit of entertainment as his frustration boiled over. Carkner got in a bit of a battle with Koivu, which would upset Bryan Allen, but Carkner got the boot and even had a nice little word with a fan as he headed towards the locker room with a 10 minute misconduct and a minor slashing penalty.

Not to be a debbie-downer here, but despite winning 5-2, that doesn’t make up for the 12 giveaways and 37 shots allowed. If not for another very good performance from Jonas Hiller and the Islanders being able to take care of the trash in front of their own net, this could very well be a loss for the Ducks. Coming into this game, the possibility of it being a trap game was certainly present. The Islanders have been imploding for a while and they came into Honda Center and outplayed the Ducks for some portions of the game. Granted, most of the Isles’ pressure came from their top line, but I think it is still unacceptable to have that many giveaways and give up that many shots. Celebrate the win, yes, but get back to work because there are some things that the Ducks still need to improve on.

December 9, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu (11) and right wing Corey Perry (10) celebrate the 5-2 victory against the New York Islanders following the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s a couple of game notes:

• Cam Fowler now has 6 points in his last 5 games.
• Corey Perry is now tied with Alex Steen for 2nd in the league in goal scoring at 20
• Ducks remain the only team in the league without a regulation loss at home (11-0-2 at home)
• Defenseman Mark Fistric left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return

Scoring Breakdown by Period:

• : Tavares (12), Vanek (9)
• : Koivu (3), Cogliano (9), Fowler (3), Perry (19,20)

Shot Breakdown by Period

Powerplay Efficiency:

Other Statistics:

Three Stars:

Up next is the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night from Honda Center.

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