Anaheim Ducks Lose Focus, Fall 3-2 to Arizona Coyotes in Shootout

November 7, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) moves the puck ahead of Arizona Coyotes left wing Brandon McMillan (22) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

After Wednesday’s roster chaos, the Ducks were expected to have some major stability back in the lineup. After missing Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry because of flu-like symptoms and goaltender Frederik Andersen because of leg tightness on Wednesday, the Ducks welcomed both Getzlaf and Andersen back into the lineup. The team, playing without some of its key players this season, overcame a 2-0 deficit to the New York Islanders to tie the game before ultimately falling in overtime. With the return of the Ducks’ captain and one of their young goaltenders, the Ducks were expected to be a much better squad on Friday against the Coyotes.

In the end, the Ducks played a terrific game. However, they couldn’t finish it off, losing focus momentarily in the second period and ultimately losing in the shootout to drop this contest by a final score of 3-2. Anaheim put pressure on Arizona throughout the game, generated more scoring chances, and had an early 2-0 lead. None of it mattered, as the Ducks let it slip in a very quick sequence of plays.

Off a faceoff win in the second period, the puck eventually found Martin Hanzal near the half-wall. Hanzal fired the puck through the crease, and Rob Klinkhammer had a stick for the redirect past Andersen to cut the Ducks’ lead to 2-1. The goal was Klinkhammer’s third of the season.

58 seconds later, the Coyotes would strike again. Antoine Vermette left a drop pass for Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who fired a wicked snap shot from his off wing past Andersen to tie the game at two goals apiece. That was Doan’s 33rd career goal against the Ducks, the most goals a single player has scored against Anaheim (Doan was previously tied with Brett Hull for 32 goals against the Ducks). That was Doan’s fourth goal of the season. Defenseman Keith Yandle, with a secondary assist, increased his team-leading assist and point totals to ten and 11, respectively.

The Ducks opened the first period strong. Sam Gagner was sent off for the first penalty of the game for tripping Devante Smith-Pelly. Smith-Pelly eventually fired a pass from down low to the slot area, but Sami Vatanen fanned on the shot. Instead of loading up to shoot again, Vatanen made a pass around former Duck Brandon McMillan to Getzlaf, who got to one knee and ripped a shot past Mike Smith to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. Getzlaf scored his fourth goal of the season, tying him with Perry for the team lead in points (15). Vatanen, with the primary assist, has six assists and nine points on the season, all of which have come on the power-play. His nine power-play points are tied for the most in the NHL among defensemen with Yandle. For the Coyotes, they have now allowed power-play goals in six consecutive games.

The Ducks extended their lead to 2-0 about six minutes later in the first period. Matt Beleskey got the play started, with a hit on Connor Murphy that forced him to cough up the puck to Ryan Kesler. Kesler skated in and fed Jakob Silfverberg the puck, and Beleskey got to the rebound and chipped it past Smith, who was down on the ice after stopping Silfverberg’s initial shot. Beleskey netted his seventh goal of the season, and it seemed Anaheim would roll to the finish.

After giving up the two goals in 58 seconds, the Ducks came back to their physical, aggressive nature of play, but Smith was spectacular for Arizona. Smith made 37 saves on 39 shots to keep Arizona in the game, as Anaheim outshot Arizona 39-25. Both teams made it an effort to engage in the forecheck, as the teams combined for 82 hits (Anaheim with 42, Arizona with 40). As a result, there were plenty of giveaways (18 for Arizona, 14 for Anaheim).

In the end, neither regulation nor overtime could decide the game, so it went to a shootout. Silfverberg drew the first shot for the Ducks, and he fired his rocket wrister past Smith for a goal, capping off his great night. However, Gagner would respond, putting a backhand past Andersen to tie the shootout at one. Smith closed the five-hole on Smith-Pelly, while Mikkel Boedker scored on a nifty backhand-forehand. Kesler, who had to score to extend the shootout, fired wide, giving the Coyotes a 2-1 victory in the shootout and the 3-2 victory in the game.

Though Anaheim only got one point in the standings, there are positives to take from this game. Again, the regular season is about quality of play, not just wins and losses: otherwise, the President’s Trophy winner would win the Stanley Cup every year. The Ducks, outside of the early part of the second period, played very well, controlling the game. More often than not, they will win games at this level of play. Smith was unreal for Arizona, making key saves time and time again to steal the second point from Anaheim.

Here are my three stars from the game tonight.

November 7, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) moves in for a shot on goal as Arizona Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy (5) helps goalie Mike Smith (41) defend during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Third Star: Ryan Kesler (1 A, 6 SOG, 3 Hits, 63.2% FO %, , 72.22 CF% (5-on-5), 21:51 TOI)

Kesler was just terrific. He was a force in the corners, winning puck battles and constantly generating offensive opportunities for himself and his linemates. Kesler won 12 of 19 draws against an Arizona team that was third in the league in faceoff win percentage, including Hanzal, who had a 70.1 faceoff win percentage entering Friday’s game.

Kesler’s line was the best unit on the ice. At even strength, the Ducks controlled 72.22% of all shot attempts with Kesler on the ice (Ducks attempted 26 total shots, while the Coyotes only managed 10 on the other end). The line was great on the forecheck, causing turnovers, and Kesler was a huge part of it all.

November 7, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey (39) moves in for a shot on goal against the defense of Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Second Star: Matt Beleskey (1 G, 4 SOG, 3 Hits, 71.79 CF% (5-on-5), 18:32 TOI)

Beleskey continues to have a terrific start to the season. He scored nine goals in 55 games last season and has a career high of 11, but Beleskey already has seven goals in 15 games this season. Before, most of Beleskey’s goals would come through sheer will, doggedly winning the puck and converting. This season, Beleskey has added more skill and improved his shot, which has made him a definitive candidate to fill out one of the top-six spots.

Beleskey played his style of game to give the Ducks a major boost. Like Kesler, he is a hard-working player in the corners, and he threw his body around. Beleskey was the driving force for the Ducks against the Islanders on Wednesday, and he was so on Friday as well. The Ducks, with Beleskey on the ice at even strength, controlled north of 71% of all shot attempts at even strength (28 for, 11 against). Beleskey is in a contract year, and if this level of play continues, he will be rewarded with a great contract in free agency after this season.

November 7, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) during a stoppage in play in the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Next up for the Ducks is another Pacific Division bout on Sunday, this time with the Vancouver Canucks. This is a highly anticipated showdown, as this is the first meeting between these teams since the blockbuster trade on June 27th that sent Kesler and a 2015 3rd round pick to the Ducks for Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, and 2014 draft picks in the 1st and 3rd round. Bonino has been stellar for the Canucks, who leads the team with seven goals, including three game-winning goals. The Canucks are 10-4-0 this season and right behind the Ducks in the Pacific Division with 20 points.

The Canucks have found a resurgence early this season after last season’s disappointing year under John Tortorella, who was fired after one campaign. The Sedin twins have been superb and are playing at an elite level once again, with Henrik Sedin scoring five goals and 15 points and Daniel Sedin scoring three goals and 14 points. Radim Vrbata, signed to play with the Sedin twins, has produced six goals and 13 points for Vancouver. Their offense has begun to really click, which is a dangerous thing for any team to face.

The Canucks will be facing the Ducks on the second end of a back-to-back as they make the California road trip. The game on Sunday will also be the final leg of a four-game road swing for the Canucks, who have defeated both the Colorado Avalanche (5-2) and San Jose Sharks (3-2) on this road-trip. Vancouver will play Los Angeles Saturday evening before coming to Honda Center Sunday to close out their road-trip.

Point Streaks, General Notes:

Getzlaf extended his point streak to two games with his goal. His 15 points tie him for eighth in the NHL currently with seven other players, including Perry.

Beleskey, Kesler, and Vatanen all have point streaks as well. Cam Fowler‘s three game point streak was snapped, and he is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. It seemed that his left skate got stuck on the ice while his knee got extended. Fowler missed time at the end of last season with a left MCL injury.

Francois Beauchemin was apparently battling illness tonight and was not a certainty to play. Despite that, Beauchemin still logged the third most minutes on the team, playing 25:29. Only Hampus Lindholm (26:14) and Vatanen (25:38) played more.