Derek Lee and Patrick Present discuss Mason McTavish's play early in the season The Anaheim Ducks played their first game of a back-to-back on the road Sunday afternoon against the Utah Hockey Club. Game #32: Ducks vs. Utah Gameday Preview [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/game-day/ducks-gameday-preview-12-22-24] The Ducks were coming off a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Friday. This was their second game in a row in which they executed their game plan and won traditional and underlying possession battles. Utah was also playing their first game of a back-to-back, albeit one where they will remain home, and riding a four-game winning streak. The only adjustment from Ducks head coach Greg Cronin in this game came on the fourth line, where Brett Leason was inserted for a healthy scratched Ross Johnston. Drew Helleson continued his run of healthy scratches as he was in the press box for the sixth consecutive game. Lukas Dostal got the start for the Ducks in this game and stopped 21 of the 25 shots he faced. In the Utah crease stood Jaxson Stauber, who saved 26 of 30. Here are my notes from this game: Breakouts/D-Zone Coverage: Early in the game, puck management issues at the top of the defensive zone led to extended zone time for Utah. Outlets failed to connect, and chips were unsuccessful. Utah executed their game plan on the cycle against the Ducks. They ran high weaves and sent forwards to the point all game. The Ducks did well to avoid miscommunications but expended their energy in coverage. They did, however, struggle to box out the net-front area, leading directly to a couple of goals. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7cB0Hh3bjo[/embed] Pavel Mintyukov was scratched for a couple of games earlier this month, with Cronin stating he needed to defend better away from the puck in coverage. A blunder in that department led directly to Utah's second goal. He will hopefully learn more from making a mistake that led to a goal than he did from watching from a distance. Gauthier-McTavish-Fabbri: The Ducks' listed third line took a leap in this game. Fabbri's effort on the forecheck to keep pucks alive, along with McTavish and Gauthier's abilities to draw defenders, slip passes to linemates in space, and win wall battles, led to several odd-man opportunities. Each of Fabbri's goals were examples of offense that the Ducks will need to manufacture more of if they're to continue taking steps. Fabbri's first was caused by heavy backchecking pressure forcing a turnover on an ambitious pass, a defenseman activating, and the trailer beating the opposing F3 up ice. His second was far greasier but was engineered from McTavish releasing high and Mintyukov activating down the wall before Gauthier made a small-area play in tight rather than jamming a shot into Stauber's pads. Penalty Kill: The Ducks' penalty kill needs an identity. They pressure high and, after surrendering the blueline, are passive when pressure is sustained and aggressive again when the puck is at the point. Their rotations and low retreats aren't quick enough to be a high-pressure penalty kill, but they still allow too many chances in tight to be a passive kill. We'll see if Brent Thompson can make a significant adjustment to their approach. Power Play: Before Leo Carlsson's injury, he was cutting and roving more in and out of the defensive structure. He's significantly more effective and dangerous in motion, as he excels at drawing defenders and dishes to open teammates. Frank Vatrano has been on the right flank of late but has shown more promise in the bumper position, searching for soft ice and making quick puck touches. The Ducks will head to Vegas to take on the Golden Knights on Monday night, the last NHL game until Dec. 28. World Junior Championship Preview: Four Ducks Prospects to Represent their Countries [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/world-junior-championship-preview-four-ducks-prospects-to-represent-their-countries] Ducks Have Several Alternate Captain Options to Replace Cam Fowler [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-have-several-alternate-captain-options-to-replace-cam-fowler]
