In Anaheim Friday night, the Ducks’ John Gibson set a franchise record with 28 saves in the second period. He made 49 saves total in a 6-2 drubbing of the Montreal Canadiens.
Derek Grant finally scored in the NHL with his first two NHL goals (after 92 scoreless NHL games played).
“They weren’t the prettiest goals but I’ll take them,” Grant said.
Dennis Rasmussen, Antoine Vermette, Brandon Montour, and Chris Wagneralso scored for the Ducks.
The second period was a pressure0cooker for Gibson with the 28 saves on 30 shots.
The Ducks started fast with a 3-0 lead in the first period.
“That was the best start we’ve had this year,” Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said. “We’re going to have to start more games like that. I’m not suspecting we’re scoring three goals in the first period every time, but we have to show that energy, that spark and that grittiness to go out and compete.”
Paul Byron and Brendan Gallaghercut the lead to 3-2 in the second with their goals for the Habs.
“I think we knew they were going to come out like that (in the second period),” Gibson said. “We just tried to weather the storm as best as we could.”
A 97-second outburst by Anaheim in the third period ended any doubt about the outcome of the contest.
“I don’t have an explanation,” Montreal coach Claude Julien said. “All I know is it’s unacceptable, and the second period was a team we should be from start to finish.”
The Habs opened the season with a win but have since gone 0-6-1 for their worst start since 1841.
[WATCH: All Canadiens vs. Ducks highlights]
Carey Price made 39 saves in the Canadiens’ seventh straight loss.
“It’s frustrating, no doubt. I don’t know a human on earth that wouldn’t be frustrated at this point,” Price said.
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