GDT: #72 ⋅ NYR @ ANA ⋅ 7:00 PM PDT

[Hockey Duckie]

This Mac celebration is everything.

LaCombe is a freaking poker faced genius!

First, LaCombe faked the shot to the net and made the Rangers all play ball as all two Rangers followed the puck being passed to Cutter. LaCombe didn't move and waited patiently for the pass back from Cutter. LaCombe received the puck all alone and 1v1 against Shesterkin.

Shesterkin got into great position to prevent a goal shot from LaCombe as Shesterkin quickly slid to his left when LaCombe received the pass back from Cutter. But the sly devil LaCombe knew he was always going to pass it to go beyond Shesterkin's goal blocking position and Mac would have an easy, unobstructed tap-in goal. That's one way of beating Shesterkin if Shesterkin is tracing the puck very well.

 

[Leonardo87]

Can you guys imagine if they had a decent PP? Holy shit!

 

[HanSolo]

Can you guys imagine if they had a decent PP? Holy shit!

Even an average powerplay would be outstanding at this point.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Can you guys imagine if they had a decent PP? Holy shit!

Can you imagine if they even had a below average PP?

 

[Leonardo87]

Can you imagine if they even had a below average PP?

It’s not the personnel. It’s the execution and coaching.

 

[Mr Rogers]

Also I don’t want Zells goal to be lost in the shuffle. That was an incredible shot, a lot of dmen we’ve had over the years would fire it into the goalie’s chest but you could see exactly where he was trying to cast the puck. I think next year is his year.

Cutter and Minty made nice plays on it too.

 

[LePerilsofPerreault]

This Mac celebration is everything.

That's my co-goal scoring leader

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

 

[duckaroosky]

Youths!!!

 

[JAHV]

What a fantastic game!

- Leo was amazing. Cutter and Zellweger both had strong games as well. Helleson too.
- Strome did not. Woof. He and Vatrano were terrible in this one.
- Obviously McTavish deserves credit for the OT goal, but he was a bit off the rest of the night. I thought he owed Zegras some better decisions.
- Was Colangelo benched? He didn't play great, and I'm ok with Cronin double-shifting some more experienced forwards, but I wonder if there's a specific reason.

Oh, and LaCombe for Norris.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Youths!!!

Ducksgo!

 

[DuckTech]

Soooo, Celebratory Pizza Party????

 

[JAHV]

If the Ducks were in the East, they'd be 3 points out of the playoffs. Wild.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

 

[anezthes]

Scared the shit out of the kids. Twice.

Great game!

Strome, Vatrano did everything they could to throw the game. Bench 'em!
Zellweger did something!
Leo! <3
Killorn! <3
LaCombe! <3

When the Ducks didn't score on their 5-on-3 I "knew" they wouldn't win.
But then the Rangers didn't score on their 5-on-3 and I thought "maybe".

@WhatTheDuck Borgen sucks!
@Leonardo87 you guys suck!
@Leonardo87 we won! <3

 

[GermanRocket7]

Honestly, given their chances, the Ducks should have won this long before OT. But in these last 20 or so games, you can really see them growing together as a team and starting to use their strengths and creativity more.

Not sure what exactly changed, but when the Ducks are on, and willing, they actually play some decent hockey. I absolutely will hold them to that standard for all of next season, though. Playoffs are a must in 2025-26.

 

[AngelDuck]

New core: LaCombe, Carlsson, McTavish, and Gauthier

Zellweger and Mintyukov have potential to join this group in the next couple years too

Exciting times ahead!

 

[Gliff]

Ducksgo!

Say his name 2 more times and there will be a fresh account introducing himself for the “first time” tomorrow.

Can’t believe I missed this game lol.

 

[mightyquack]

That was a great win, just good play in all three zones which was nice to see.

I've been impressed by Zellweger lately, seems to be playing with a lot more confidence and is taking the game on more with the puck and getting himself up into the rush, just feels like he wasn't really getting the reward until this one. Still a believer he can become a damn good player on the backend even with a smaller frame, he's just got way too much skill with the puck on his stick to not become a factor. If we get a functioning PP next season, I could see him getting 10-15 goals and 50 points tbh, especially with how he seems to be able to get his shot through traffic and recognition of when the goaltender is struggling with traffic.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Scared the shit out of the kids. Twice.

Great game!

Strome, Vatrano did everything they could to throw the game. Bench 'em!
Zellweger did something!
Leo! <3
Killorn! <3
LaCombe! <3

When the Ducks didn't score on their 5-on-3 I "knew" they wouldn't win.
But then the Rangers didn't score on their 5-on-3 and I thought "maybe".

@WhatTheDuck Borgen sucks!
@Leonardo87 you guys suck!
@Leonardo87 we won! <3

Got himself a shiny new contract before turning back into a pumpkin

 

[Leonardo87]

Scared the shit out of the kids. Twice.

Great game!

Strome, Vatrano did everything they could to throw the game. Bench 'em!
Zellweger did something!
Leo! <3
Killorn! <3
LaCombe! <3

When the Ducks didn't score on their 5-on-3 I "knew" they wouldn't win.
But then the Rangers didn't score on their 5-on-3 and I thought "maybe".

@WhatTheDuck Borgen sucks!
@Leonardo87 you guys suck!
@Leonardo87 we won! <3

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

I saw the 5 consecutive 3rd period penalties and thought well, that turned into a nightmare. But then I saw the final score. Amazing, good for the boys.

We remain the champion among the league's bad teams.

 

[Leonardo87]

 

[Mr Rogers]

What a fantastic game!

- Leo was amazing. Cutter and Zellweger both had strong games as well. Helleson too.
- Strome did not. Woof. He and Vatrano were terrible in this one.
- Obviously McTavish deserves credit for the OT goal, but he was a bit off the rest of the night. I thought he owed Zegras some better decisions.
- Was Colangelo benched? He didn't play great, and I'm ok with Cronin double-shifting some more experienced forwards, but I wonder if there's a specific reason.

Oh, and LaCombe for Norris.

Cronin addressed Colangelo a little bit in the postgame, said it was due to the string of PKs. Gauthier was getting the nod instead for that ice time because he was playing well. Idk maybe but did feel like a benching somewhat.

 

[mightyquack]

I saw the 5 consecutive 3rd period penalties and thought well, that turned into a nightmare. But then I saw the final score. Amazing, good for the boys.

We remain the champion among the league's bad teams.

Might be the only championship we see for the next 20 years if the NHL continues expanding relentlessly