Anaheim Ducks Defeat Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 in Shootout

Dec 3, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) reacts after scoring a goal on Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (35) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Second Star: Sami Vatanen, D (1 G, 5 SOG, 26:12 TOI)

Vatanen unleashed his abilities Wednesday and was a force on the ice. His electric skating ability and skillset were evident on the huge goal he scored to tie the game at three. He has seven goals on the season, but he has 21 points, which is tied with T.J. Brodie for the second most points in the NHL among defensemen (behind Brodie’s teammate, Mark Giordano). Vatanen, after scoring his first ten points on the power-play this season, has scored nine of his past 11 at even-strength.

Vatanen has eaten a lot of minutes on the blue-line with the absence of Francois Beauchemin (broken finger), Ben Lovejoy (broken finger), Mark Fistric (lower-back, face), and now Eric Brewer (broken foot). He and Lindholm have been the only defensemen to suit up for all 27 games, and Vatanen has played 24:22 in his previous six games. He has become one of the key scorers on this team, and he had a terrific game.