Detailed notes from Tuesday's game between the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks
The Anaheim Ducks began their four-game road trip with a matchup in Chicago to face the Blackhawks. The Ducks were looking to put an end to their two-game losing streak where they gave up 12 goals in total. The Blackhawks entered looking to win their second in a row after a 7-4 win against the visiting Arizona Coyotes on Sunday.
John Gibson would get the start in the Ducks crease. In his last outing, he allowed six goals on 36 shots in the Ducks 6-2 defeat against Dallas. Petr Mrazek got the nod for Chicago looking for his first victory since Feb. 17.
Trevor Zegras and Leo Carlsson didn't join the team on this road trip. Max Jones also didn't make the flight due to an illness. Pavol Regenda was called up on an emergency loan from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL for this game.
Here are my notes:
Breakouts: Clean outlets were few and far between in this game for the Ducks. Defensemen were activating up ice too early without ensuring the outlet controlled the first pass out of the zone, leaving opposing forwards open behind the defensmen low. Lack of urgency caused a number of easily disrupted breakouts and ensuing opportunities. This would have been a time to adjust to high flips out of the zone due to the lack of clean exits generated.
Cycle: The Ducks cycle game is lacking a creative element. On several occasions, one of the net-front forwards had opportunities to release to the corner as a passing option as pucks were heading to the top of the zone. It would have either drawn opposing defenders from the front of the net or opened up lanes low if the opposing defenseman had stayed. Several distance shots were blocked and few rebound chances arose.
Rush Defense: To their credit, forwards work hard to get back and defend rushes on the backcheck. Throughout the season and though in position to disrupt a play, those forwards have trouble finding a lane or option to eliminate.
Forecheck: It's a strong-side defenseman's job to read the opposing breakout and their team's forecheck when making the decision to pinch or to retreat. A poor decision there led to the Hawks' second goal.
Cam Fowler: Fowler was hesitant in this game to turn up ice and skate pucks North with possession.
Penalty Kill: The Chicago power play was most dangerous when Connor Bedard had possession on the left flank. Too many lanes were open for him as a result of heavy pressure at the top of the umbrella from the penalty killing forwards.
The Ducks will be back in action on Thursday to take on the Wild in Minnesota at 5 PM PST.
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