Can Anaheim Ducks' Power Play Decisive Against Montreal Canadiens?

The Anaheim Ducks faced off against the Montreal Canadiens in a game that saw the Ducks emerge victorious with a 3-2 score, improving their season record to 22-24-6. The Canadiens, on the other hand, now stand at 24-23-5 after this encounter. The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses throughout the periods.

Key Highlights from the Game

The game started off strong for the Canadiens as they managed to put two points on the board in the first period. However, they were unable to maintain this momentum, failing to score in both the second and third periods. The Ducks capitalized on this lapse, scoring two goals in the second period and adding another one in the third to secure their win.

Anaheim's goaltender played a crucial role in their victory, making 21 saves with a save percentage of 100 percent. This defensive solidity was complemented by an effective offense that saw Alex Killorn contributing significantly with one goal and one assist. Frank Vatrano also made his presence felt by scoring once from his two shots on goal.

On Montreal's side, despite taking more shots (23 compared to Anaheim's 22), they struggled to convert these opportunities into goals. Their power play unit managed only one goal from six shots while being shorthanded once during which they also scored.

Player Performances and Statistics

Several players stood out during this matchup due to their exceptional performances on ice. For Anaheim Ducks, Alex Killorn not only scored but also assisted another goal proving pivotal for his team’s success. His shooting accuracy was impeccable with a shooting percentage of 100 percent for his efforts during his time on ice.

Frank Vatrano’s contribution cannot be overlooked as he netted one of Anaheim’s goals demonstrating skillful playmaking ability alongside physical gameplay marked by hits and takeaways which added depth to Duck's offensive strategies.

From Montreal Canadiens’ roster despite facing defeat Nick Suzuki showed resilience by playing aggressively throughout but couldn’t steer his team towards victory alone.

As we look forward towards future games it becomes evident that both teams have areas of improvement especially when it comes down converting power plays into successful goals which could potentially change outcomes drastically if leveraged properly moving forward into season.