Anaheim Ducks Neutralize Edmonton Oilers in 2-1 Victory
By Jason Byun
Dec 10, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey (39) celebrates his first period against the Edmonton Oilers with teammates at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Now, the Ducks embark on a five-game road trip to Canada, and it will start with another game against the Oilers on Friday. Though the Ducks came away with a win, the Oilers did not play all that poorly, and they were coming off a game the night before. The Ducks will face the Oilers on the first leg of a back-to-back (their first of two on this five-game trip), so they must be cautious not to overlook this Oilers squad.
Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins lead the Oilers with 18 points. Hall leads the Oilers with eight goals, while Nugent-Hopkins has a team-leading 12 assists. Justin Schultz, a 2008 second round draft pick of the Ducks who did not sign with the team, leads the Oilers in ice time (21:30 per game). Nugent-Hopkins leads all Oilers forwards in ice time per game, with 21:18. That total is second in the NHL among forwards, only behind Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers (21:55).
Point Streaks, General Notes:
Kesler has a three game goal and point streak (four goals, one assist). Lindholm has a four game point streak as well (four assists). Palmieri has a three game point streak (one goal, three assists). Cam Fowler had his five game point streak snapped, as did Getzlaf. Silfverberg also had his four game point-streak snapped.
The Ducks were 43/64 in the faceoff circle on the night (67.2%). The four centers (Getzlaf, Kesler, Rakell, and Nate Thompson) were 39/59 (66.1%), while Beleskey, Patrick Maroon, Tim Jackman, and Smith-Pelly were 4/5. Each center was above 50% in the faceoff circle, and Kesler led the way, winning 16 of 21 draws (76.2%). Nugent-Hopkins took a team-leading 22 draws for the Oilers, but only won eight (36.4%), including losing eight of nine faceoffs against Kesler. Leon Draisaitl, the third overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, won only three of 13 draws (23.1%).
Despite leading the league in giveaways, the Oilers only committed one giveaway on the night (a second period giveaway by Teddy Purcell). The Ducks, in comparison, committed eight giveaways, six by forwards.