Ducks Strike Late to Take Down Rangers

Gauthier has been one of the most integral pieces of the Ducks’ success through the first several months of the regular season, and that continued against the Rangers in the Big Apple. The 22-year-old from Sweden scored two goals — including what ended up being the game-winner early in the third period — to break a two-game scoreless drought. Prior to his two-goal effort in New York, Gauthier hadn’t put up a point since recording an assist in the team’s shootout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 9.

While his first goal of the night was by far the most important in deciding the outcome of the game, his second — an empty-netter with less than a minute to play — put the contest away for good.

For the season, Gauthier has posted 18 goals and 18 assists. His 36 points rank second on the team behind center Leo Carlsson.

Shut Down Goaltending for Anaheim

Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal has been a steady force all season but hadn’t had a game like he did against the Rangers in quite some time.

Dostal stopped 26 of 27 shots on a night when the Rangers’ only goal came on a bizarre play that left Madison Square Garden in disbelief. New York’s Matthew Robertson blasted a wrist shot on net, which deflected off several players in front of the crease, over Dostal’s outstretched stick and into the back of the net.

With the Ducks in the playoff hunt, having good goaltending is a must. Through the early goings of the season, Dostal has been able to provide just that.

No Mika, Some Problems

Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan announced following the team’s morning practice that center Mika Zibanejad would be a healthy scratch for the matchup against the Ducks after he was late to a team meeting. Sullivan stated that while he understands there can be “logistical challenges” when traveling in the city, being late is always unacceptable.

As a result, the Rangers were without their leading scorer, which obviously had a negative effect on the team’s offensive output. The lone goal for the Rangers came on the aforementioned score by Robertson; other than that, nothing.

The good news for the Rangers is that the absence is just temporary. Sullivan made it known that there wouldn’t be any additional discipline for Zibanejad and that he would be available for the team’s game against the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 16.