In Anaheim, the visiting Minnesota Wild posted two goals in the first period and went on to defeat the Ducks, 3-1, on Thursday night.
Kaapo Kahkonen made 16 saves to get the win.
Ryan Hartman and, Kevin Fiala were the first period strikers for the Wild.
The Ducks dropped to 6-8-3.
“After a number of games where we really thought we were going in the right direction with creating chances, having lots of action, this was a big stop sign,” Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins said. “It’s certainly going to be a big reset for us.”
Anaheim has scored two or fewer goals in 13 games.
“You see them score their first goal with all that effort we put in and nothing to show for it,” the Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk said. “I think we just beat ourselves up a little too much and let it sink in and, obviously, let a second goal in right away, and that’s something that we really have to just get over quickly.”
Sam Steel scored the Ducks only goal in the middle frame.
“We start that game, we’ve got great pressure,” Eakins said. “We’re just looking for some kind of reward there, and then when you don’t get it, it’s quite deflating.”
Marcus Foligno added a goal in the third period for the Wild.
“We’ve got to pick up some wins and climb the standings a little bit, so this one can jump-start us,” Foligno said. “It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t our best, obviously, but we know we’re going to get better and better.”
John Gibson made 24 saves in the loss.
The Ducks offense was listless on the power play, including a two-man advantage in the game.
“Too slow and no execution,” Eakins said. “It’s amazing. We spent the morning, and before the game, actually talking about 5-on-3, 4-on-3, and then when we went out there we froze.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.