The Anaheim Ducks capped off a sparkling month of January with a 5-1 drubbing of the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night, improving their record to 10-3-1 on the month. It had all the elements of a typical Ducks thanks to contributions from the likes of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Jakob Silfverberg. The 26-year old Swede had himself a night, racking up two goals and an assist while dominating even strength play.
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A surface level analysis would lead one to believe that the Ducks are a team on the rise. How could a team winning at such an impressive rate not be? Their January win-loss record will surely be endlessly recited on broadcasts for the next week or so. The real story, however, should be that Anaheim recorded a paltry 1-3-1 record against playoff opponents during the same timespan. Against teams currently in playoff position, the Ducks were outscored 16-8 and out-shot 164-127.
Not exactly the marks of a team headed for Cup contention. Head coach Randy Carlyle still has some kinks to work out; notably the composition of his fourth line and bottom pairing. Kevin Bieksa, who’s struggled massively this season, once again recorded more ice time than stalwart Josh Manson and just a shade less than Sami Vatanen. Bieksa’s hefty contract undeniably has a part to play in that, but justifications for his presence are the roster is running thin.
There’s clearly work to be done before Anaheim can be considered a contender. Unfortunately, 5-1 wins against draft-lottery bound teams don’t do much to abate that uncertainty.
First Period
Showing no signs of rust, Silfverberg broke open the scoring at 10:58 of the first. Silfverberg, better known for his lightning-quick shooting release, tipped home a shot-pass from Nick Ritchie as he barreled down the middle lane.
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Anaheim would go on to take three minor penalties in the opening frame, much to the displeasure of head coach Randy Carlyle. Thanks to the heroics of goaltender John Gibson, however, they were able to take a slim one-goal lead into the intermission.
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Second Period
Rickard Rakell picked up right where he left off before the All-Star breaking, notching his 21st goal of the season just 2:54 into the second. The marker came on the heels of a beautiful exchange behind the net between Perry and Getzlaf, where Perry would get his 700th career point by threading a perfect dish through a crowd of Colorado defenders.
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Colorado would quickly riposte thanks to a Mikko Rantanen goal at 5:13. Anaheim quickly stopped the bleeding, handily carrying play over the course of the period thanks to a healthy 22-10 shot attempt advantage at even strength.
Third Period
Anaheim quite literally took the Avalanche to task in the final stanza, driving home a whopping three goals in a roughly 15-minute span. Although the avalanche of goals featured some familiar faces in Silfverberg and Fowler, a starkly unfamiliar face punctuated the deluge.
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Korbinian Holzer notched his first goal in nearly three years at 12:13, sending the Honda Center faithful into a frenzy and effectively securing Anaheim’s eventual 5-1 win.
Scoring Summary
FIRST PERIOD
ANA – Jakob Silfverberg (14) assisted by Nick Ritchie (6) & Antoine Vermette (13)
SECOND PERIOD
ANA – Rickard Rakell (21) assisted by Corey Perry (27) & Ryan Getzlaf (31)
COL – Mikko Rantanen (8) assisted by Mikhail Grigorenko (12)
THIRD PERIOD
ANA – Jakob Silfverberg (15) assisted by Andrew Cogliano (12)
ANA – Korbinian Holzer (1) assisted by Jakob Silfverberg (17) & Joseph Cramarossa (6)
THW Three Stars
First: Jakob Silfverberg, two goals, one assist
Second: John Gibson (stopped 28 of 29 shots)
Third: Rickard Rakell (one goal)
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NEXT UP
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings
STAPLES Center – 7:30 p.m. PST on Wednesday, February 1
Broadcast channels – NBCSN
2016-17 Season Series: Nov. 15: Colorado (4), Los Angeles (1)
NEXT UP
Anaheim Ducks at Florida Panthers
BB & T Center– 7:30 p.m. EST on Friday, February 3
Broadcast channels – PT25, SUN
2016-17 Season Series: No games played