The Anaheim Ducks give their former coach Bruce Boudreau the picture perfect Valentine’s Day gift: A loss.
Anaheim will take the wins as they come but that was not pretty.
They take the season finale after dropping the first two meetings versus Minnesota.
The victory allows them to reach the 70-point plateau while wrapping up a grueling six-game, 14-day road trip.
Only string of road games left will be near the end of the regular season.
It’s All About Opportunity:
With a ton of loaded talent on both teams, it is incredible how only one goal was scored.
The way Minnesota was dominating play makes you think they would easily win to earn the sweep.
Corey Perry flutters the puck on net from the right corner that fools Devan Dubnyk. Making him give up a rebound that Joseph Cramarossa would hammer in.
The goal would be his fourth of the year, snapping a four-game pointless streak.
Gibby Time:
BREAKING: John Gibson has been unofficially officially been named the eight wonder of the world.
There is not enough words to describe just how vital he has been to this franchise.
After allowing five goals to Washington in his last start, Gibson picks up the 10th shutout of his career.
https://twitter.com/AnaheimDucks/status/831692201214087168
He stopped 37 shots, including 13 that came on the power play.
Lose-Win Situation:
The Anaheim Ducks cup of forte all season was the penalty kill.
But they don’t have to kill every penalty if they don’t get the penalty first.
Minnesota was awarded five power plays but came up empty on all trips.
Anaheim’s face-off advantage has tapered off despite having the No. 1 ranked face-off winning percentage.
Next: Leaping Over Hurdles One At A Time
Mikko Koivu won 77% of his face-offs, including eight wins of 12 in the offensive zone.