ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Frank Vatrano, Cutter Gauthier, and Ryan Strome scored during the second period as the surging Anaheim Ducks defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-2 on Thursday night, marking their fifth consecutive home victory.
Jackson LaCombe added a goal late in the third period during four-on-four play for Anaheim, and Troy Terry sealed the victory with an empty-net goal. This win reflects the Ducks' impressive performance, being their eighth win in the last eleven games.
Both Terry and Strome contributed significantly, finishing the game with one goal and two assists apiece. Ducks’ goalkeeper Lukas Dostal made 22 saves during the match, which was the first for the team at home after 3.5 weeks.
The early momentum was initially with Vancouver. Tyler Myers opened the scoring less than three and half minutes after the first puck drop, hitting the net with the Canucks' first shot. Minutes later, Pius Suter added his 15th goal of the season during traffic at the crease, giving the Canucks a quick 2-0 lead.
Despite the promising start, the Canucks allowed five unanswered goals. Vatrano got things rolling for Anaheim early in the second period, scoring his 18th goal of the season. Gauthier followed up, swiftly tying the game with his 12th goal as a rookie, showing remarkable tenacity.
Reflecting on the game’s momentum shift, Strome provided the go-ahead goal late during the second period, converting a prime pass from Mason McTavish straight from the top of the slot for his ninth of the season. This was pivotal and demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change on the ice.
LaCombe's success late, just 4:14 from time, solidified the Ducks’ control as they grabbed the fourth and decisive goal. Just when they looked vulnerable, they effectively turned the tides. Terry’s empty-netter was merely the cherry on top of the Ducks' impressive home revival.
The Ducks are riding on high from this latest victory, showing resilience and tactical prowess, especially as they have earned points in nine of their last 11 matches. This stretch marks the franchise’s most productive performances since November 2021.
For the Canucks, their struggles continue. On this five-game road trip, they have only managed one win and now sit at 1-3-0, exacerbated by the difficulty of overcoming their now 26th consecutive loss when trailing after two periods. Their early optimism after Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Kings vanished Monday night, attributable to their defensive breakdowns and offensive lapses.
Both teams are scheduled for matchups this upcoming Saturday, where the Canucks will meet their rivals, the Seattle Kraken, and the Ducks are set to host the Chicago Blackhawks. Inspiring performances from both sides will be key to turning their respective seasons around, especially for the struggling Canucks.
Overall, this game was about persistence, tactical adjustments, and the Ducks making the most out of their scoring opportunities when faced with adversity.