ANAHEIM — The Ducks’ five-game win streak has offered a novel delight with each victory, and Wednesday night’s contest was no exception as it was decided by an overtime winner that completed Troy Terry’s second career hat trick.
The Ducks became so fond of rallies on the road that they snagged a souvenir comeback for the fans at Honda Center, where they led by two, trailed by one and ultimately prevailed, 4-3, over the Arizona Coyotes in OT.
The Ducks became the fifth team in NHL history to mount four third-period surges to come from behind in their first 10 games of a season.
This was also the first game of November after an October in which nearly 48% of victories league-wide were comebacks, tied for the highest percentage in NHL history, and there were 95 lead changes, the third-most in any October.
Terry added a career-high fourth point to the game’s first two goals and the overtime winner, setting up rookie Leo Carlsson. October’s NHL Rookie of the Month, Lukáš Dostál, had 32 saves. Dostál will likely see even more action in the coming days as John Gibson (upper-body injury) missed Wednesday’s game and the Ducks recalled veteran depth goalie Alex Stalock. Winger Ryan Strome (illness) was also a late scratch, opening an opportunity for Benoit-Olivier Groulx.
For Arizona, Lawson Crouse tallied twice and rookie Logan Cooley scored his first NHL goal. J.J. Moser contributed two assists. Karel Vejmelka had 25 saves.
Overtime began auspiciously for the Ducks, who nearly saw Terry win the game and wrap up his hat trick off a partial breakaway during the first shift of OT. He finished both jobs three minutes later after an Hakeem Olajuwon-esque shimmy by Mason McTavish created an odd-man rush for the Ducks.
McTavish, who scored two skate-off goals on their four-game road trip, played the role of engineer this time. Terry, who called McTavish a “main driver” offensively, lauded the shimmy, the shake, the entry and the oh-so-sweet dish to send the fans home happy.
“The whole goal was impressive on his behalf and I’m just happy I was able to put it home,” Terry said.
Terry, who was the Ducks’ leading goal-scorer last season, had a modest two goals entering Wednesday’s action.
“Not to sound like a bad teammate, I couldn’t be happier that we’ve been winning games, but selfishly I’ve wanted to contribute more,” Terry said.
The Ducks made it a new game 4:01 into the third period off a shot that first deflected off former Kings defenseman Sean Durzi and then off Carlsson’s stick skyward and into the net. It was the third goal for the NHL’s version of a true freshman, Carlsson, and an equalizer that took the game to overtime.
“It was up-and-down hockey, I’m sure it was a lot of fun for the fans,” Dostál said.
Durzi would later receive a game misconduct after he took exception to a check into the end boards by Frank Vatrano and came up swinging.
Arizona assumed control for the first time Wednesday with the lone goal of the second period. With 5:35 left, sustained pressure created the second goal of the night for Crouse, who got away with a cross-check that knocked down Radko Gudas just before Crouse received the puck and scored on a point-blank backhand as he dove to the ice.
In the opening 20 minutes, the Ducks scored on two of their first three shots but were stuck on the same total when Arizona’s ninth shot and second goal evened the count.
Rookie defenseman Pavel Mintyukov initiated both scoring sequences for the Ducks and Terry finished them.
Mintyukov’s nifty banked-off-the-boards zone entry against pressure from multiple defenders led to what was ultimately scored an unassisted power-play goal for Terry 3:46 into the game.
Mintyukov put on a show about six minutes later, gaining the zone, finding an open Cam Fowler and hitting the post with his attempt to finish a deft give-and-go play. Terry buried the rebound to earn Mintyukov a primary assist. The series of events happened four-on-four save for the goal itself, which bolstered their conversion rate – and Mintyukov’s reputation.
“There were moments I watched him as a coach and I turned into a spectator, and said ‘this kid’s good, he’s just a good hockey player,’” said the Ducks’ Greg Cronin, who was proud his team avoided a “trap game.”
But Arizona responded with a pair of goals set up by Moser. His touch pass into the low slot gave Dostál little opportunity to stop Crouse’s redirection 11:41 into the game.
About three minutes later, Moser’s lead pass for Cooley allowed the Calder Trophy contender to hit the blue line with speed before he zoomed on goal dragging the puck on his backhand before seamlessly transitioning to his forehand for his first career tally.
The Ducks next face the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights in a rematch from the Ducks’ season opener, which Vegas won, 4-1.
