Patrick Present gives brief thoughts on the Ducks' 3-1 loss to the Flyers The Anaheim Ducks returned from their holiday break with a Saturday matinee matchup with the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. Game #34: Ducks vs. Flyers Gameday Preview [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/game-day/ducks-gameday-preview-12-28-24] The Ducks won three of their last five heading into this one and were looking to remain within striking distance of .500. Philadelphia came in having lost four of their previous five games. Forward Brock McGinn missed this game with a lower-body injury, and in his place next to Leo Carlsson and Alex Killorn was Brett Leason. The rest of the forward lines and defensive pairs remained untouched from the Ducks' 3-1 loss to the Golden Knights on Dec. 23. Lukas Dostal got the start in this game for the Ducks. He stopped 22 of 24 shots, doing enough to keep his team in the game despite his allowing a soft goal from below the goal line on Philadelphia's game-winner. In the Flyers' crease stood Samuel Ersson, who saved 32 of 33 shots, several of which were perimeter shots to his chest or easily redirected to safety. Flyers vs. Ducks Pre-Game Stat Pack [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/game-day/flyers-vs-ducks-pre-game-stat-pack] Here are my notes from this game: Penalty Kill: The penalty kill was the bright spot in this game for Anaheim as they went a perfect five for five. Assistant coach Brent Thompson made impactful adjustments to pressure heavier at the defensive blueline, rendering zone entry a taller task than it's been for opponents this season. The increased pressure continued after entry was earned, forcing rims and bobbled passes, which led to changes in possession and easy clears. Power Play: Despite going zero for four, the power play generated a fair amount of quality looks, especially so because one of their opportunities ended just four seconds after it began. Troy Terry and Leo Carlsson switched flank positions, so they played on their strong sides and engaged the goal line release players (Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano). There was an increased amount of player movement, rotating along the perimeter in hopes of drawing defenders out of position to open shooting lanes. Leo Carlsson: Carlsson now just has one point in his last eight games and is struggling to impact play to his full capability. He's at his best in transition, drawing the attention of defenders and breaking down defensive structures with speed. Carlsson's linemate, Alex Killorn, is doing well to win wall battles and get pucks to him in the offensive zone, but he's finding it difficult to create offense from there. He will need to manufacture ways to transport pucks through the neutral zone if he's to regain his most dangerous form, which is what makes him a consistent threat every time he has the puck on his stick. Drew Helleson: Helleson's quietly effective defensively, executing his assignments of remaining with his check, boxing out in front, and getting to loose pucks first. He took a penalty at the end of a long shift at a bad time in the game when the Ducks needed a goal, but he was the only defenseman consistently active in the offensive zone, shooting and passing with purpose, leading to rare, dangerous chances. The Ducks will next take on the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, who will also be playing their second game of a back-to-back as they were defeated by the Los Angeles Kings in overtime on Saturday. Jamie Drysdale Reflects on His Time as an Anaheim Duck [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/jamie-drysdale-reflects-on-his-time-as-an-anaheim-duck] Ducks World Junior Recap Day 2: Uljanskis, Latvia Stun Canada [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-world-junior-recap-day-2-uljanskis-latvia-stun-canada]
