Mar 14, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) stops a shot by Dallas Stars left wing Loui Eriksson (21) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Stars would get on the board midway through the 1st period as Ray Whitney would roof the puck top shelf over Jonas Hiller‘s shoulder.  That goal would hold until a third of the way into the 2nd period when Andrew Cogliano would pick up his own rebound in front of Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen, shifting it past his leg and into the net.

Despite both teams getting numerous powerplay opportunities, (6 for Dallas, 4 for Anaheim), neither team would convert and the game would move into overtime.  Yet again neither team was able to convert and both team would pick up a point, with a shootout to determine who would pick up the 2nd.

Anaheim would shoot first and Bobby Ryan looked Patrick Kane-esque as he moved to the backhand and lifted the puck up, rolling it over Lehtonen’s shoulder.  Loui Erikson would miss his attempt on Jonas Hiller and Teemu Selanne would not convert on his shootout opportunity.  Ryan Getzlaf was then given the chance to convert and would pull a great lateral move in front of the net, forcing Lehtonen to attempt to keep up with his quick hands, and would then tap it home safely into the net.

Shootout Attempts

Shot
1
2
3		N/A

This marks the 5th win in a row for Anaheim who, (with the additional 2 points), move to 13 points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings in the Pacific Division.  The Ducks remain at 2nd in the NHL and in the Conference, 4 points behind Chicago, (who also won in a shootout tonight), but really, what matters is that the Ducks are 13 points ahead of the Kings, (could anything make a Ducks’ fan happier?).

Kudos to Jonas Hiller who has returned to form and has carried the Ducks in the last two games.  Let’s hope he can continue to play at such a level until the team is fully healthy and Corey Perry has returned from suspension.  The Ducks aren’t the same team without Bonino, Fasth, and especially Perry.  Lines were obviously struggling to adjust tonight but hopefully the Ducks will be able to sort things out before their next game on Saturday in St. Louis where Ducks fans everywhere can hope for both another win, and the return of Bonino and Fasth, (sadly we still have 3 games to go on Perry).

13 points ahead of the Kings!

Feb 6 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Viktor Fasth (30) prepares to make a save from a shot by Colorado Avalanche right wing Chuck Kobasew (12) during the third period of the game at the Pepsi Center. The Ducks defeated the Avalanche 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks got off to a good start with a goal in the 1^st period coming from blueliner Sheldon Souray, who blasted a shot from the point for his fourth of the season.  Saku Koivu would add to the Ducks lead with a power play goal that came from a pass from Teemu Selanne, a pass that would be a landmark for the Finnish Flash, marking his 750^th career assist.

In the 2^nd period the Ducks would further build their lead when Francois Beauchemin would take a pass in the slot from Daniel Winnik, and bury it in the Avalanche net.  That would be the end of the scoring for either team, despite a shot that came from Kyle Palmieri that appeared to be a goal, but was not called as such on the ice.  The ruling was not overturned in video review as it was concluded that there was not indisputable video evidence.

While the stat sheet seemed to show the Ducks dominated the game offensively, there’s no disputing that tonight’s game was about Viktor Fasth.  The Avalanche were without Gabriel Landeskog, (injury), or Ryan O’Reilly, (contract issues), but still managed to test the Ducks netminder with 31 shots, 11 more than Anaheim.  Fasth wouldn’t budge however and provided some huge saves that would allow him to get his first career shutout.

The difference in shots was somewhat indicative of how well Anaheim played, (or didn’t).  While Anaheim certainly did make the most of chances, they weren’t always the most defensively responsible.  Thankfully, when the Ducks did have a defensive breakdown, Fasth was there to save the day.  Fasth is giving Bruce Boudreau good reason to consider giving him more starts, and will also hopefully inspire Jonas Hiller to improve the consistency of his play.  If these guys play to their potential, the Anaheim Ducks could end up with one of the elite goaltending tandems in the NHL this year, and perhaps for the next few.

Anaheim is giving the impression in this young season that they made all the right moves during the offseason as three of the offseason acquisitions found their way onto tonight’s stat sheet.  With tonight’s win the Ducks move to second place in the NHL standings, tied with the San Jose Sharks and the Boston Bruins.  The Ducks sit 3 points behind the first place Chicago Blackhawks, who the Ducks will face in Chicago, on Tuesday.  Before getting there however the Ducks will have to play in Dallas and St. Louis in back-to-back games.