The team needed a win after two losses. Anaheim Ducks They took their suddenly ignited power game to a convincing point 3-1 win The New York Islanders are on the road on Tuesday night, October 29th. On a big night for the offense, shameful defeat A few nights ago (Oct. 27) against the New Jersey Devils, familiar faces stepped up.

The Ducks should feel good about their journey so far, having played pretty good hockey for 120 minutes out of a possible 180. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the final 60 minutes on Halloween night. Until then, a few takeaways from last night’s game.

Big Night for the Ducks’ Power Play

The Ducks have scored four power-play goals in their last four games: a pair against the San Jose Sharks (Oct. 22) and two against the Islanders. They had a chance against the New York Rangers in the opening game of the road trip, and although they didn’t convert, the power play looked good. After starting the season with a 0-21 man advantage and looking like they were mostly outright lost, they were able to bounce back with a run of games in which they looked much more cohesive.

They moved well against the Islanders, passing effectively and shooting the puck frequently. The work paid off with long periods of possession in the offensive zone, resulting in the first tally of the night. Leo Carlsson. Mason McTavish and Troy Terry He connected low and tight to second base. McTavish drove the puck towards the goal and then made a perfect pass onto Terry’s pad for an easy shot.

The improved power play the Ducks desperately need this season is a real confidence boost. Knowing that they can create offense in these situations takes some of the pressure off the even-strength game. He even helps goalkeeper Lukas Dostal, who trusts that the team in front of him will be successful in such situations. More power play goals for the Ducks could make the difference in at least 7-10 games. They’ve had some success and that’s really encouraging.

ducks Familiar Faces Offer Familiar Performances

The Ducks’ production so far has been limited by the early season performance of a few key players, especially Terry, Carlsson and Dostal. It’s unlikely to be sustainable, but all three have mastered their respective fields and look ready to carry the team while the rest of the squad settles in.

Carlsson’s goal last night was his third point in four games. He bounced back from his rough night in New Jersey in impressive fashion, finishing minus-4 with one shot in 17:56 of ice time (TOI). His prolific goal against the Islanders earned him his fourth goal and sixth point, both good for second on the team. He won’t turn 20 for another two months and will likely continue to have his ups and downs as he adjusts to the tremendous responsibilities that come with being the Ducks’ top center, but he’s shown the ability to take on the role.

Relating to: Ducks September Series: 2024–25 Expectations for Leo Carlsson

Terry is off to as good a start as anyone could have predicted. His power play goal last night was his fifth goal and eighth point in nine games; Both were the best on the team. He scores goals in different ways, just like he always does: right in front of goal, rushing into the area, changing his teammates’ setups and more. He came into the season as one of the Ducks’ highest-paid players. important expectations to realize and carry the team. Like Carlsson, he did exactly that at first.

Although McTavish has never scored a goal, he has quietly put together two games with two assists, including last night’s win. His second assist was particularly notable as he charged towards goal on the power play and played a perfect pass to Terry in the small area for a throw-in. McTavish uses his size effectively. It’s only a matter of time before he scores a goal.

Early Cause for Concern: Lack of Production from Some Top 6 Forwards

It feels wrong to go into detail after an impressive win, but we’d be remiss not to point out some obvious question marks following the first few weeks of the season. Trevor Zegras He has one empty-net goal and one primary assist in the first and third matches of the season, respectively.

While head coach Greg Cronin distributes ice time fairly evenly among his top nine forwards and switches lines frequently, Zegras ranks second among forwards in average TOI with 16:58. It is not lacking in volume. He is creating plays and scoring looks, but it is a slight concern that he has one point in nine games when there are no obvious factors limiting his play. He will probably settle somewhere big offensive roleSo stay tuned for the resourceful disk handler and expect some comeback performances soon.

Alex Killorn’s lack of production is another red flag. Killorn’s complementary style It earned him the opportunity to play alongside talented players like Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, but bench shuffling has led to some changes since then. He has one empty-net goal and one empty-net assist in nine games. He definitely has a lot more to give. Expect him to achieve success soon, or he may be looking for fewer chances to contribute meaningfully.

ducks Journey Ends with Good Test Against Penguins

Before the Ducks return home, they have their first matchup of the season against the Penguins, who are desperately trying to stave off a complete slide while still having Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Karlsson. Very little works in Pittsburgh right now. Letang and Karlsson are minus-15 between them, Crosby and Malkin are the only players with consistent production, and their goaltending is questionable.

What does all this mean? This is another winnable game for the Ducks. It won’t be easy – it never happens when all the Penguins’ legends come together – but there is enough room for the Ducks to take advantage and finish the trip with a second win. In their only visit to the PPG Paints arena last season, McTavish led the Ducks to a second last victory. Who plays the hero on Halloween? Find out on Thursday.