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Ducks Crush Oilers in Convincing 6-2 Win
Mason McTavish showcased his scoring prowess with two goals, while teammates Jackson Lacombe and Cutter Gauthier contributed significantly with three assists each, propelling the Anaheim Ducks to a commanding 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. The Ducks’ offense surged, lighting up the scoreboard with four goals during the last eight minutes of the first period, a decisive stretch that laid the groundwork for their triumph.
In addition to McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Sam Colangelo, Ryan Strome, and Alex Killorn also found the back of the net for the Ducks, who now hold a record of 27-26-7. This win marks their second victory in three games as they aim to close the gap on the Calgary Flames, currently just six points behind for the final wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.
On the opposing side, the Oilers, who entered the match at 35-22-4, suffered their sixth loss in seven games, even with the excitement of playing their first home game in nearly a month. Star forwards Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid managed to score for Edmonton, but their efforts were not enough to turn the tide in a disappointing outing.
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal was instrumental in the victory, securing the win with 33 saves. Conversely, Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard struggled early on, making only seven saves on 11 shots in the first period before being substituted by Stuart Skinner, who added another 13 saves in relief.
During the game, passionate fans at Rogers Centre made headlines by booing the national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, and expressing discontent with vociferous anti-Trump sentiments.
Key Takeaways from the Game
Ducks: Defenceman Jackson LaCombe had an outstanding performance, registering three assists to stretch his point streak to six games. With 11 goals and 33 points over 53 games this season, LaCombe is quietly having a significant impact, finishing the night with a plus-five rating.
Oilers: Draisaitl continues to lead the league in goal scoring, netting his league-leading 45th goal of the season, while also extending his impressive point streak to 12 games. Remarkably, he has recorded nine goals in his last nine outings, showcasing his consistent offensive capability.
Decisive Moment
The turning point came when Anaheim extended their lead to 3-1 with just 1:34 left in the first period. A shot intended to be deflected by Colangelo instead redirected off the skate of defender Brett Kulak and into the net, marking Colangelo’s second goal of the season. Just 12 seconds later, the Ducks capitalized on a scramble behind the net, allowing McTavish to score his second of the night and 16th overall this season. In a surprising statistic, the Ducks managed to score on four of their first eight shots against Pickard.
Statistics Worth Noting
This game also highlighted Cutter Gauthier’s achievement; he became the third rookie in Ducks franchise history to record three assists in a single period, all during the first frame of the match.
Trade Updates
In a separate development, the Oilers made headlines earlier in the day by engaging in a three-team trade with Boston and New Jersey, acquiring forward Trent Frederic and former Ducks player Max Jones from the Bruins. Notably, Frederic is currently on injured reserve.
Upcoming Matches
Ducks: The Ducks are set to face the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.
Oilers: Edmonton will host the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
Source
globalnews.ca