Mason McTavish and Jakob Silfverberg scored power play goals in the third period, and the Ducks extended their winning streak to five games by beating the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 at the Honda Center on Friday night.
Jayson Megna also scored for Anaheim, who are 4-0-1 during their run. John Gibson stopped 26 shots and Derek Grant had two assists in the Ducks’ first game after the trade period.
“I thought we were rested. I think that helped Montreal play tonight,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “I thought everyone was involved in our confrontation and it turned out great.
“The other thing is we were kind of in our own weight class competition here. I think when you’re into those kinds of games, you show yourself a little bit better. As we tour here and get some desperate teams together, I hope we can keep that level.”
The win moved the Ducks (21-34-8) to a season-high 50 points, fourth lowest in the NHL. The Canadiens (26-32-4) have 56 points, 26th of 32 teams.
Jonathan Drouin had a goal and an assist and Nick Suzuki also scored for Montreal. Sam Montembeault made 30 saves. The Canadians have lost two straight and three of their last four.
“I think it was one of those games that you like to play. The intensity increased in the third period where every game counted because it was an exciting game,” said McTavish, who has a point with one goal and four assists in three games in a row.
Anaheim was last on the power play in the NHL with a 15.6% conversion rate and is 1-17 in their last five games.
But the Ducks finally found their rhythm with the man advantage in the third period. McTavish scored from the right field circle on a pass from Cam Fowler to make it 2–1. It was McTavish’s 14th goal of the season and his seventh power play leader.
Silfverberg scored the winning goal five minutes from time when he placed a wrist shot past Montembeault in heavy traffic in front of the net.
Suzuki put the Canadians on target with 30 seconds remaining after pulling the keeper. It was the Montreal captain’s 21st win of the season which looked like a career highlight.
“I thought the effort was there tonight. We just didn’t get the result we wanted,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. “We will try to further develop our game and our brand. I expect us to fight every game and keep working at what we’re trying to do.”
Montreal scored in the 76th second of the game when Drouin tucked the loose puck into the crease after Mike Matheson’s shot went through Gibson’s legs. The goal was Drouin’s first goal in 45 games and dates from last season.
“It means a lot,” Drouin said of the goal. “We have such a great group of guys and a close-knit group. It was nice to see the reactions and all the emotions.”
Megana equalized with a wrist shot in front of the net three minutes later after accepting a pass from Max Comtois. Montreal defender Johnathan Kovacevic got his racket partially on the pass but was unable to clear it, resulting in Megna’s second goal of the season.
training room
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said forward Adam Henrique (medial collateral ligament sprain) could potentially return for the final two weeks of the season. Henrique, second on the team with 19 goals, was injured on February 21 against Tampa Bay.
As a sequel to
Canadians: Sunday in Vegas.
Ducks: Tuesday night in Seattle to open a three-game road trip.
Source: LA Times