Detailed notes from Monday's game between the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres.
The Anaheim Ducks concluded their four-game road trip with a rare morning puck drop as they traveled to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Monday. The Ducks are coming off an embarrassing 9-2 defeat at the hands of the Maple Leafs on Saturday while the Sabres are looking to build off their Saturday 3-2 victory over the Wild.
After playing two of the three periods in relief of Lukas Dostal on Saturday, John Gibson got the nod to finish the road trip between the pipes. He would oppose Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at the other end who’s coming off of a win where he stopped 30 of 32 shots. Here are my takeaways from this game:
Rush Defense: Early in the game, the weak side attacker cut to the middle as a passing option and received passes too easily despite backchecking presence. It’s a communication and/or puck-watching issue. The first forward back needs to engage more assertively in these instances. It doesn’t seem to be an issue when Leo Carlsson is the F3 backchecker.
Turnovers: Turnovers within ten feet of either blueline can be deadly. The flow of play is all heading in one direction in those situations, so if pucks stagnate, opponents can catch forwards up ice too far and defensemen flatfooted. There were several instances, but Buffalo’s first goal proves how quickly a mistake in those locations can lead to an opportunity the other way.
Forecheck: The Buffalo breakout had some hiccups in this game. They should have simplified their tactics because, to their credit, the Anaheim forecheck took advantage of their indecision.
Pavel Mintyukov: Since returning from injury, Mintyukov has been an astute in-zone defender when the Ducks are in their defensive zone coverage. He perfectly mirrors his assignment, cleanly engages, disrupts using his stick, and (of course) quickly turns up ice to join a potential rush.
Adam Henrique: Henrique’s lack of foot speed may be a little overstated. One doesn’t have to be fast to play fast. Henrique plays fast. He computes at a high clip, has great hands in tight spaces, has a high motor, and uses his body to gain and retain position. All that was on display in this game.
Max Jones: Jones’ offensive game has taken a step or two as this season has progressed. He is showing composure with the puck and creativity that seemed to evade him in years past. When he pairs those attributes with his puck skills, closing speed, and tenacity, he is a perfectly viable option in a top-9.
The Anaheim Ducks make their return to Honda Center on Wednesday night when they are set to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets.