The Anaheim Ducks cannot stand success.
On Sunday, after winning two games in a row, the Ducks surrendered two first period goals to Cal Clutterbuck as the New York Islanders shut out the Ducks, 3-0.
Cal Clutterbuck had two goals for the Isles on Sunday – file photo courtesy of Lewis Bleiman
For the Isles it was their fifth straight win.
“It’s nice, but it’s still January,” Clutterbuck said. “It’s just an affirmation that the style that we have and the work we’ve been putting in and the structure is a winning structure.
“It’s fun. It’s a special group of guys; it always has been. I’m happy for a lot of guys in this room who are able to be playing well and playing to their potential.”
Robin Lehner made 19 saves for the shutout.
“Keep playing the way we are; there’s no reason to deviate now,” Lehner said. “We’re starting to play our game, we’re playing very consistent. We’re just frustrating the other teams, I think.”
Lehner just needed support around him to demonstrate his game.
“They’re (Lehner and goalie Thomas Greiss) big,” Clutterbuck said. “Robin’s a house and makes [Greiss] look small, but [Greiss] is a cottage if you want to compare the two.
“They’ve been solid for us; there’s no other way to put it.”
The Ducks dropped to 21-20-9.
“It just seemed they had more energy than we did right off the bat,” Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said. “We take a too many men on the ice penalty that opened the door for them. You know you’re going to have to weather a storm in most buildings coming off a back-to-back. They’re a good hockey club that’s pushing for first place, and we knew that they would come with some energy.”
Leo Komarov also scored for New York.
[WATCH: All Ducks vs. Islanders highlights]
Chad Johnson made 25 saves in the loss.
“I don’t think we lacked energy; I thought we were there energy-wise. We had opportunities, they just didn’t go in,” Johnson said. “Once they got the lead, they were pretty hard to play against. They’re pretty stingy around the net. As much as we could control of the puck, it’s hard to get inside and get some looks, and if you do, you’re not getting second chances.”
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