Detailed notes on Thursday night's game between the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks
The Anaheim Ducks traveled north to San Jose to take on the Sharks on Thursday evening. Each team went into this one looking to end their respective losing streaks. The Ducks were in the midst of a three-game losing streak and the Sharks in a four-game losing streak.
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John Gibson got the nod to take the crease for this game against a division rival. To oppose him, Kappo Kahkonen.
Just before puck drop, it was announced the Ducks traded Ilya Lyubushkin to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a third-round pick.
Troy Terry practiced with the team this week in a red non-contact jersey and traveled to San Jose, but wasn't given the green light to suit up for this one. Cam Fowler was injured just 21 seconds into the game and didn't return after taking an off-target shot attempt to his face. Leo Carlsson missed his last few shifts of this game as well. It's unclear at this point what the cause was. Here are my takeaways from this game:
Defensive zone coverage: Attention to detail and diligence is supremely important when man-to-man systems are deployed. If one player gets beat, a chain reaction is caused that can compromise the entire structure of the coverage. The Sharks first goal is an example.
Power Play: Leo Carlsson is a dangerous power play weapon regardless of where he's stationed. He's been operating from the left flank of late and it adds a unique threat to his presence when he's able to make plays moving toward the net on his strong side. He's always a threat to either pass or shoot.
When the Ducks have two trailers that are of the same handedness, they like to have the trailers cross in the neutral zone to simultaneously back up the opposing defensive forwards and freeze the structure. This allows them to move the puck laterally against stationary defenders to gain an easier entry.
Breakout: With having to play with five defensemen for essentially the entire game, fatigue seemed to set in early and those defensemen were forced to rim a lot of pucks around the boards to wingers on breakouts. Every forward line excelled at moving pucks effectively and cleverly from those outlet situations. They were able to negate opposing pinching defensemen and create rush opportunities.
Isac Lundestrom: Lundestrom has always been excellent in transition and breakout situations. He's found himself on the boards of late since his shift to carrying mostly winger responsibilities, and it's allowed that aspect of his game to open up even more. He's skating pucks from the board to the middle of the ice which gives him space to utilize his skating ability and headman the puck to linemates further up ice than him.
Alex Killorn: Killorn came to Anaheim advertised as a forechecking and cycling specialist who excelled in small areas. In this game, he displayed a prowess for creating off the rush by utilizing his vision, change of pace, and anticipation skills. He has developed a tremendous chemistry with Leo Carlsson.
The Ducks will have a quick turnaround as they head back to Anaheim to take on the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.
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