Anaheim Ducks Fight Back, Fall 3-2 in Overtime to New York Islanders

Nov 5, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; A general view of the Honda Center prior to the game between the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Islanders. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Next for the Ducks is a matchup against another Pacific Division opponent in the Arizona Coyotes. The game against the Coyotes will be the second division matchup of the year for Anaheim and the first of four consecutive division games. Arizona is coming off a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, but the Coyotes are currently 6th in the Pacific Division and 12th in the Western Conference with a 5-6-1 record.

Defenseman Keith Yandle leads the Coyotes with nine assists and ten points, with nine of those points coming on the power play. Yandle also leads the Coyotes in total shots on goal and is second on the team in ice-time to franchise defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who has two goals (both overtime power-play winners) and eight points. However, Ekman-Larsson also is tied for a league-worst -11 rating with Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly and Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson. Mikkel Boedker, meanwhile, leads the team with five goals.

It seems strange to say it, but the Coyotes, coached by one of the game’s best in Dave Tippett, are last in the league in goals against per game. Goaltender Mike Smith is 3-6-0 with a 3.63 GAA and .880 SV%, while backup Devan Dubnyk is 2-0-1 with a 3.30 GAA and .879 SV%. Arizona is a team with strong pieces on its blue line, but unlike the last three Anaheim opponents (Stars, Avalanche, and Islanders), the Coyotes do not have much in terms of offensive firepower. Still, this is a difficult team to play against because they do not give much to their opposition, with a rock-solid defense corps.

Point Streaks, General Notes:

The Ducks won 40 of 73 draws against the Islanders. Kesler won 17 of 26 (65.4%), while Nate Thompson won 14 of 23 (60.9%). The Ducks continue to have success in between the dots this year, an encouraging sign for a team that last year struggled to sustain offense or defend well because they were unable to win key draws.

Fowler has a three game point streak with his assist on Etem’s goal (one goal, two assists). Fowler has nine points on the season, tied with Kesler for third on the Ducks behind Perry (15) and Getzlaf (14).

With an assist on Beleskey’s power-play goal, Vatanen has eight points on the season. All eight of Vatanen’s points have come on the power-play this year, and he leads the Ducks with 4:09 of power-play time per game.

With two minor penalties on Wednesday, Vatanen also leads the Ducks in minor penalties taken (eight). He was tied with Getzlaf and Jackman for most minor penalties taken entering Wednesday’s game. (six).