Detailed notes on Friday's game between the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks finished their brief two-game home stand on Friday night when they hosted the Colorado Avalanche.
Game #31: Ducks vs. Avalanche Gameday Preview
The Ducks were coming off a spirited 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.
Like the Jets on Wednesday, the Avs were playing their second game of a back-to-back after defeating the San Jose Sharks 4-2 on Thursday.
Ducks head coach Greg Cronin stuck with the same lineup that earned his team their latest win.
John Gibson started this game for the Ducks, stopping 19 of 22 shots.
Opposing Gibson was Scott Wedgewood in the Colorado crease. He saved 30 of 32 shots.
Here are my notes from this game:
Rush Defense: This is the second game in which the Ducks allowed a goal against a rush where they had numbers on the backcheck but failed to eliminate lanes or pick up passing options from the wall to the middle of the ice.
It plagued the team last year and would be a concerning development should a pattern arise.
Alex Killorn: Killorn doesn't often win foot races but makes up for it with savvy plays upon zone entry. He executes quality area chips and dump-ins to spaces he knows he or his teammates can win races to or create battles from.
Jackson LaCombe: LaCombe's comfortability with the NHL game is yielding impactful results on and off the scoresheet. What's been sticking out of late is his willingness to remain low in the offensive zone long after pressure has been sustained. He's in constant search of seams to present himself as an option. Even when those seams can't be found, his presence low draws opponents out of position and causes confusion.
Cutter Gauthier: Gauthier continues to add layers to his attacks. Lately, he's asserted himself more upon zone entry to get to soft areas to receive passes.
One thing he's yet to figure out is something that the team as a whole struggled with in this game: the ability to find lanes to kick pucks to the wing after zone entry on the power play. Too many entries were broken up at the blueline, causing precious seconds to tick off their myriad of power play chances.
This is the second game in a row where the Ducks' executed their game plan and will look to continue that as they hit the road for a two-game trip on Sunday and Monday in Utah and Vegas, respectively.
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