Game Recap: Father Lovejoy Leads Ducks to 5-2 Win over Oilers

January 3, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Tim Jackman (18) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Anaheim Ducks continued their record start at home and their dominance over the Edmonton Oilers with a 5-2 win tonight. However, just like their last matchup the Oilers scored first with a goal from Boyd Gordon, just 35 seconds into the game. The Ducks would answer right after the resulting face off with a goal from Kyle Palmieri as he crashed the net hard with the puck. Midway through the opening frame, during a chaotic sequence in front of Jonas Hiller, Nail Yakupov would somehow poke the puck through Hiller’s five-hole. Then, new father Ben Lovejoy would score on two one-timers from the right point, including one with just under five seconds left in the period. He beat Ilya Bryzgalov blocker side on both shots. Late in the second period, enforcer Tim Jackman would score his first goal as a Duck on a backhand, again to the Bryzgalov’s blocker side, as he cut in front of the net. The Ducks would cap off the win with a breakaway goal from Andrew Cogliano, guess where? Yep, blocker side. Cogliano blocked a point shot in his own end and with his speed he had an easy breakaway.

I figured I would get all the good news out first. It was noticeable right from the start that the newly formed line of Cogliano-Saku Koivu-Palmieri was going to have a good game. They were quick, aggressive and seemed to do everything right. There wasn’t much fight in the Oilers tonight though. This was an embarrassing performance by Edmonton. They were badly out-shot, out-played and were very undisciplined. Their defense was just about as bad as you could imagine. However, the Ducks weren’t exactly at their best. The top line had some chances but didn’t create too much. However, besides the Cogliano-Koivu-Palmieri line, the best line of the game may have been the fourth line for the Ducks. They were incredible on the forecheck, especially Jackman. It felt pretty good to see him get rewarded in the second period. I noted in the game preview that one of the keys to the game was for the Ducks power play to find it’s stride. Well, they went 0-8. Granted they generated a lot of shots and had good chunks of sustained possession, but if you don’t score it’s not worth a damn. That needs to get fixed.

January 3, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ben Lovejoy (6) skates into position against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s a couple of game notes:

• Jordan Eberle suffered a knee injury last night against the San Jose Sharks and missed tonight’s game. He’s officially listed as day-to-day.
• Daniel Winnik and Bryan Allen were given the night off.
• Ducks are now 12-5-1 when they allow the first goal. INSANE.
• Lovejoy was interviewed during the first intermission and when asked about scoring two goals so soon after the birth of his first child he said, “Avery (his wife) better get ready for another one because this is fun.” LOL

Scoring Breakdown by Period:

• : Gordon (6), Yakupov (8)
• : Palmieri (8), Lovejoy (2,3), Jackman (2), Cogliano (13)

Shot Breakdown by Period

Powerplay Efficiency:

Other Statistics:

Three Stars:

Up next are the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night from Honda Center.

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