Anaheim Ducks: 5 of the Worst Games from the 2018-19 Season
This season, the Anaheim Ducks had too many bad games to count, but if you put them in a line-up, these five would come out on top at the worst games of 2018-19.
Let’s be honest, the Anaheim Ducks got bested this season. Every season has their set of bad games but this season, in particular, the Ducks had a whole slew of bad games. With that being said, cover your eyes, because this list is about to get monkey butt ugly.
Dishonorable Mention: 1-2 OTL to the Ottawa Senators, January 9th, 2019
I was actually at this game, and I analyzed the game in length after having the esteemed privilege of watching from section 225. Long story short, the Ducks led the entire game, lost the lead in the 3rd, and then lost the game in overtime.
It seemed like finally, the losing streak might end, but instead, we witnessed the Ducks set a new franchise record. For the first time in 25 seasons, the Anaheim Ducks had lost 9 consecutive games in a row. Eventually, the record would end at 12 excruciatingly painful games, but losing to the worst team in the league was a hard pill to swallow.
5. 1-6 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, February 4th, 2019
Historically, the Toronto Maple Leafs have always had the Ducks’ number. Thankfully the Ducks only have to play them twice every season. With the addition of John Tavares and Jake Muzzin, of course, they were going to be a team that was even harder to beat.
The Ducks kept it even at 0-0 for the 1st period but from then on the Leafs walked all over the Ducks, scoring 3 goals in each of the final two periods. Rickard Rakell would get Anaheim on the board at the start of the 3rd, but it wouldn’t matter as the Leafs would continue to pile on the goals.
The SOG were 44-25, in favor of the Leafs, so that tells the story. The Ducks were already in the midst of another losing streak so, this just felt like business as usual for Anaheim, unfortunately. Try as he might, John Gibson could not stand up to the pressure of the persistent and dominate Maple Leafs. At the end of the night, both Gibson and Chad Johnson let in a combined total of 6 goals, allowing the Leafs to win 6-1.
4.1-6 loss to the Arizona Coyotes, March 14th, 2019
It’s always gonna be a bad day if you’re getting thoroughly cleaned up by the Desert Dogs, who were probably at their weakest during this point in the season due to injuries. The Arizona Coyotes started the scoring and picked up 2 quick goals in the last 3 minutes of the 1st.
Jakob Silverberg would try to get the Ducks rolling in the 2nd with a goal in the first minute of the 2nd period, but it wouldn’t benefit the Anaheim Duck too much because Vinnie Hinostroza would tack on another 2 goals for the Coyotes. Then, he would complete the hat trick and Arizona would add on another goal after that. Anaheim led the Coyotes in SOG 37-24, but it wasn’t enough for a win.
3. 2-6 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, February 9th, 2019
Like the Ducks, the Philadelphia Flyers weren’t doing too hot either at this point in the season. One would think this was going to a close one, at least. Boy were we wrong. The Flyers flew to a 4-0 lead in the first period alone. This was already shaping up to look like the Winnipeg game from the Saturday before.
“Here we go again” was the universal thought at the end of the 1st period. Adam Henrique and Nick Ritchie would finally put up a goal in the second and third period, but the Flyers were just too much for Anaheim to overcome. The Flyers outshot the Ducks 40-32, and while the shots were close, the offense just wasn’t there.
On top of that, it’s hard to come back from a 4-0 deficit right away. This is arguably the best worst game of the season. Yes, we lost on the scoreboard but the true victory was off-ice. After this loss, Randy Carlyle was finally released from his seemingly unmovable position as head coach and replaced by none other than General Manager Bob Murray.
2. 4-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, January 11th, 2019
This game is easily the most disappointing, especially since we came out hot in the first period scoring 3 goals. The Anaheim Ducks got goals from Nick Ritchie, Ryan Getzlaf, and former Penguin, Daniel Sprong. In the second period, however, the Penguins would roar back to tie the game 3-3 with a goal from Evgeni Malkin and 2 goals from Jake Guentzel but just before the period ended Silfverberg picked up a goal to give the Ducks a 4-3 lead.
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Unfortunately, halfway through the 3rd, the Penguins tied the game and then ran away with the lead, scoring 3 more goals. Jake Guentzel would pick up the hat trick with an empty net goal to win the game 7-4 for the Penguins.
The Penguins outshot the Ducks 36-25 this game. The Ducks definitely had their chances in this game but the former back to back Stanley Cup Champions proved to be too much for Anaheim, who had, yet again, given up a generous lead.
1. 3-9 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, February 2nd, 2019
Here it is, the beatdown of the season. How Randy Carlyle escaped with a job after this game will always be one of life’s greatest mysteries. The Jets scored just 2:07 into the game and put up 5 more before the 1st period ended. It was 6-0 after one.
At this point, I was waving the white flag at my TV, but nothing happened. Early into the second period Nick Ritchie scored to at least get Anaheim on the board. Daniel Sprong would also chip in a goal halfway through the period. It wouldn’t make a difference as the Jets would score 2 more goals making the score 8-2. At this point, I’m in the fetal position in my room.
Both teams would exchange goals making the final score 9-3. Ironically shots on goal were 31-29 in favor of the Jets but the score suggested otherwise. I personally would like to bury this game 9 feet deep and never see or speak of it again. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to watch the 2015 1st round match up to make myself feel better.
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What do you consider to be the worst game from the 2018-19 season? Did it make our list? Let us know by leaving us a comment in the comment section down below.