In Anaheim Wednesday night it was the coming out party for Anthony Duclair of the Arizona Coyotes as netted his first career hat trick in a 4-0 drubbing of the Ducks.
Duclair was acquired by the Coyotes in a trade with the New York Rangers who have a propensity of ridding themselves of young talent.
“Very special,” Duclair said of his big night. “We’ve got a special group in this locker room, and it just makes it that much more fun. The veterans here have done a great job of easing the young guys on to the team, and I give credit to them.”
Mike Smith made 37 saves for the shutout.
Max Domi, also an Arizona rookie, picked up the other goal on the night.
“They’re (rookies) really working hard at playing a strong team game and trying to fit in, but we need their speed and skill and tonight that was on display,” Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. “They’re also playing a real solid game without the puck, which is great to see.”
The recriminations were all around the Ducks post game commentary.
“I thought we came out in the second [period] and we were better, but we’ve got to find a way to put the puck in the net,” center Ryan Kesler said. “That’s the bottom line. We’re a good team when we work as a five-man unit. We’re not on the same page right now. We’re working hard, but sometimes we’re not working smart.”
What’s north is south, east is west and the Coyotes are not the basement dwellers from last season.
“We didn’t win the battles,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “When you go in the corners and you don’t come up with the puck, it’s because the will of the other team is greater than ours. We’re not used to that being the case. It’s back to the drawing board to see why those things aren’t working.”
The season is still early but the Ducks are one of many teams in the Pacific Division and the NHL that need to find some early answers to their problems.
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