The Anaheim cannot hold leads and they cannot win games.
That is the story of the 2018-19 season.
On Sunday, the Ducks blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2 en route to a 4-3 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
It was the 11th straight loss for the Ducks; they are 0-7-4 in that stretch.
Bryan Little scored the game-winner with just 11 seconds left on the clock in the extra session.
“I was kind of trying to find a seam to [defenseman Jacob Trouba] and ended up just shooting it,” Little said of his game-winner. “I think we were both whacking at it for like four or five seconds and it got right on my stick and I just tried to shovel it up.”
Connor Hellebuyck made 28 saves in the win.
Brian Gibbons, Rickard Rakell and Andrew Cogliano scored for the Ducks.
“It’s frustrating, obviously,” Carter Rowney said. “We think we played a good enough game that it gave us a chance to win but they get a late one there and they scored in OT.”
Anaheim dropped to 19-18-9.
“We came in here, obviously everyone knows what we’re going through,” Cam Fowler said. “This team, how [the Jets] play in this building. I thought our guys gave it a heck of an effort and we were there with them every step of the way. It takes a funny bounce in the third for them to tie it up and then I had my chance in overtime.”
Ben Chiarot, Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine scored for the Jets in regulation.
[WATCH: All Ducks vs. Jets highlights]
John Gibson made 30 saves in the loss.
After the game, Ducks general manager was asked about the losing streak and the placement of blame.
“While it’s not my preference to make comments on this topic during the season, our recent play has led to many questions. Our fans are frustrated, rightfully so, and deserve a response from me,” Bob Murray said. “At this time, I am not considering a coaching change. I am more focused on our players, specifically with who is going to step up in this situation. The way we played tonight was a step in the right direction, but we need much, much more. We have higher expectations for this group, and they should expect more from themselves.”
The Ducks may be following the lead of the Dallas Stars and fingering the players for poor on-ice performance, rather than coaching.
“All of us, we can’t be down. We can’t change what happened. We can just continue to build on it and take it as a building block and a staple of how we’re going to have to play and get ready for Detroit,” Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle said.
You must be logged in to post a comment.