The Anaheim Ducks returned home after a three-game road trip with an opportunity to win their second straight when they faced the playoff-hopeful Nashville Predators on Sunday night. While the Ducks captured a point and created greater separation between themselves and the now-last place in the Pacific Division San Jose Sharks in the process, they fell to Nashville 5-4 in overtime. Let’s look at some takeaways from the game.
Positive: Max Jones Shows Why Ducks Drafted Him with Gritty Effort
Max Jones was a first-round draft pick of the Ducks over six seasons ago. Injuries and inconsistent play have seen him in and out of the lineup during his tenure, but lately he has made some plays that demonstrate why the Ducks drafted him back in 2016. His effort alone was the reason they began to climb out of the 2-0 hole they found themselves in last night.
Give credit to Mason McTavish for the finish, but this play was all Jones. He chased Ryan McDonagh up the wall, forced the turnover, and battled not one but two additional Predators before getting the puck to McTavish in a good scoring area. His effort was relentless, and his hard-nosed play resulted in the puck in the hands of a playmaker. That’s exactly what the Ducks organization, and fans, should want to see from Jones. It also halted some momentum that Nashville built up over a dominant opening 15 minutes. Major kudos to him on the play.
Positive: Usual Suspects Producing on Offense
It was the rare four-goal game for Anaheim. The goal scorers on the night, however, were not unusual. Cam Fowler and Troy Terry continue to dazzle with their marvelous play since the All-Star Break, Frank Vatrano scored on an absolute missile that went back bar and out, and McTavish brought his goal total to 16 as he continues to chase Matty Beniers in the rookie scoring race. In what is by all accounts a lost season, we get the occasional reminder that there is reason for optimism about the future of this team.
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A 20-goal season is well within reach for McTavish, which is a great accomplishment for a rookie. Terry, Vatrano, and Adam Henrique, if he plays again this season, can all eclipse the 20-goal mark as well. They would all join Trevor Zegras, who has 21.
Positive: Late Game Heroics Give Ducks a Chance
It was satisfying to see that there was no quit in the Ducks last night. The Predators have a lot to play for down the stretch and the Ducks pushed them to the brink, almost sending them home with one…
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