Takeaways from the Ducks 9-2 Loss to the Maple Leafs

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The Anaheim Ducks continue their four-game road trip with game number three on Saturday evening in Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs. Toronto is looking to extend their two-game winning streak and Anaheim is fresh off a 5-1 defeat of the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

Takeaways from the Ducks 5-1 Victory over the Senators

Alex Killorn made his return to the Ducks lineup in this game after missing the last month following arthroscopic surgery to his left knee. The Leafs would be without Captain John Tavares (“minor injury”), defenseman Mark Giordano (family reasons), and defenseman Morgan Reilly (suspension. Lukas Dostal got the start in the Anaheim crease and was opposed by Martin Jones. Here are my takeaways from this game:

Penalty Kill: The Toronto power play is incredibly fluid and can move the puck at a breakneck pace. The Ducks were too busy in their structure trying to keep up with the constant shifting and weaving, but too stationary when the Leafs were stationary moving the puck along the perimeter. The killers’ sticks were too focused on taking away passing lanes to less dangerous options.

Power Play: With the young pieces the Ducks have on their team and in their pipeline, it could be useful to implement some of the Maple Leafs’ ideals with power play puck movement in the offensive zone. It could be beneficial to free the most creative players on the roster to explore the lengths of their creativity.

Chemistry: Off the rush, Troy Terry and Mason McTavish created some opportunities after zone entry. Terry was able to find McTavish driving the middle with quality slip passes and McTavish was able to get his release off.

Ryan Strome and Leo Carlsson were also creating opportunities. Off the wall or low in the zone, Carlsson was finding Strome streaking to soft ice for a couple of chances.

Goaltending: Lukas Dostal was pulled after the first period. The only relatively soft goal he allowed was Toronto’s third. Jake McCabe received a pass off a face-off and, moving away from the net, was able to beat Dostal on the far side.

In relief, John Gibson let in 5 goals on 14 shots. He probably could have stopped Toronto’s fifth goal where, similar to their third, a pass was made to Matthews, who was moving away from the net, where he beat Gibson clean from distance. The ninth goal Toronto scored was also one where Gibson would usually make a save. Nic Robertson received a pass when he was stationary at the top of the slot and beat Gibson through the five-hole.

Defensive Zone Coverage: Positioning wasn’t an issue for the Ducks in man-to-man defensive zone coverage. They struggled to engage their assignments whether on-puck or off. Passing lanes weren’t taken away and very few puck carriers were separated from the puck.

The Ducks’ road trip will conclude on Monday at 9:30 AM PST where they’ll take on the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo.

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