Detailed notes from the game between the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks on March 3
The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday evening at Honda Center. The Ducks entered play with a 2-1-1- record in their last four games and are beginning to grasp their system and display the ability to take away the strengths of their opponents. The Canucks came into this game atop the Pacific Division and looking to get back in the win column after dropping their last two to the Kings and Penguins.
Lukas Dostal was given the Anaheim cage for the second game in a row due to John Gibson's inability to suit up because of an illness. For the Canucks, Casey DeSmith was given the crease for the first time since Feb. 19 when he surrendered 8 goals on 25 shots in the Canucks 10-7 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Game #61: Ducks vs. Canucks Gameday Preview
The Ducks have been dealing with injuries to some of their bright young stars over the entire duration of the 2023-24 season. Sunday's game wasn't any different. Leo Carlsson was forced to exit Thursday's game vs the San Jose Sharks with an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day. Mason McTavish left Friday's game vs the New Jersey Devils early in the second period with a lower-body injury and is listed as week-to-week.
Here are my takeaways from this game:
Defensive Zone Coverage: There were a few defensive zone breakdowns in the Ducks' man-to-man structure that led directly to a couple goals. Weaves high in the defensive zone where opponents cross and switch positions has caused confusion for Ducks defenders all season.
Cam Fowler: Fowler takes on significant of responsibility on the Ducks back end. At times he is too quick to leave his assignment to help a teammate with their's. Vancouver's first goal is an example. He is also too willing to rag pucks to safety behind the Ducks' net when he has opportunities to push pace and attack when he gets pucks in the neutral zone.
The Fowler-Zellweger Pair: This defensive pair thrived on puck retrievals and exits in this game. They read, shifted, and reversed with each other in a seamless manor and as a result, very few pucks were weakly moved up the wall from a backhand outlet.
Max Jones: Jones has made the most of his opportunities higher in the lineup with the amount of injuries the Ducks have sustained of late. He's now scored four points in his last four games and is making much more calculated and decisive choices with the puck in the offensive zone.
The Ducks next game will be on Wednesday at 7 PM PST when they will be taking on the Ottawa Senators at Honda Center
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