Blackhawks Rally Past Ducks After Anaheim’s Record-Breaking Start
For the Anaheim Ducks, this one started like a dream - and ended like a missed opportunity.
In the opening 47 seconds of Sunday night’s matchup in Chicago, the Ducks lit the lamp twice and looked every bit like a team ready to dominate. But after building a 3-0 lead just over 10 minutes into the first period, Anaheim couldn’t hold off the surging Blackhawks, who stormed back with five unanswered goals to take a 5-3 win at United Center.
Let’s break down how it all unraveled - and why special teams once again told the story for Anaheim.
Lightning Start, Historic Pace
Anaheim came out flying, and it was Cutter Gauthier who got things rolling just 15 seconds after puck drop. Troy Terry found him in the left circle, and Gauthier wasted no time snapping one past Spencer Knight.
Then, before the Blackhawks could even settle in, Olen Zellweger jumped on a rebound just 32 seconds later and beat Knight again. Two goals in 47 seconds - the fastest pair of goals to start a game in Ducks franchise history, breaking the previous mark set by Corey Perry and Patrick Eaves back in 2017.
The Ducks weren’t done. Just past the halfway point of the period, Beckett Sennecke fired a shot from the point that Chris Kreider managed to get a stick on, deflecting it in to make it 3-0. At that point, it looked like Anaheim was in full control.
Blackhawks Push Back
But Chicago found a spark late in the first on the power play. Tyler Bertuzzi redirected a shot in front to get the Blackhawks on the board and cut the deficit to 3-1 heading into the intermission.
That goal turned out to be the momentum shift the home team needed.
Early in the second, Connor Bedard led a 2-on-1 rush and dished a perfect feed to Ryan Greene, who beat Petr Mrazek with a clean wrist shot. Just like that, it was a one-goal game. Then, with just over seven minutes left in the middle frame, Colton Dach tied things up on the power play, capitalizing on another Ducks penalty.
Heading into the third period, the game was knotted at three - and Anaheim’s early lead was a distant memory.
Third Period Collapse
The Ducks thought they had reclaimed the lead early in the third. Alex Killorn found the back of the net while shorthanded, but the goal was wiped out after video review showed the play was offside. It was a tough break - and things only got tougher from there.
Midway through the third, Bedard gave Chicago its first lead of the night with a goal that showcased his elite shot and poise under pressure. Anaheim pulled the goalie in the final minutes in a desperate push to tie it, but Bedard sealed the deal with an empty-netter to make it 5-3.
By the Numbers
At even strength, Anaheim had the edge. The Ducks outshot Chicago 26-18 and posted a Corsi For percentage of 52.94%, with a Fenwick For of 50.77%. But hockey games aren’t won on shot attempts alone - and once again, special teams proved to be Anaheim’s Achilles’ heel.
Chicago went 2-for-4 on the power play. Anaheim?
0-for-2. That’s been a recurring theme this season, as the Ducks continue to struggle on the penalty kill and take poorly timed penalties that swing momentum the other way.
Head coach Joel Quenneville didn’t mince words after the game.
“I think after we got the 3-0 lead, we didn’t do what made us successful,” he said. “We got careless with the puck and thought we could do whatever we wanted to do, and that changed.
Certainly disappointed. That was one that you get it out of your mind because it could haunt you.”
Injury Watch
Petr Mrazek left the game in the third period with a lower-body injury. Ville Husso came in to finish the game. There was no immediate update on Mrazek’s status postgame, but with the Ducks playing again tomorrow, all eyes will be on the crease.
Streaks and Stats
- Sennecke’s assist on Kreider’s goal extended his point streak to seven games - an impressive run for the young forward.
- The Ducks entered the night 8-0-0 when scoring first.
That streak is now over.
- The two-goal burst to open the game set a new Ducks franchise record for fastest goals to start a game.
What’s Next
No time to dwell on this one. Anaheim is right back at it tomorrow night, heading to St.
Louis to face the Blues. It’s a quick turnaround - and a chance to respond after a game that started with promise but slipped away fast.
The Ducks showed flashes of dominance, but until they clean up their special teams and tighten up with the lead, they’ll keep learning these tough lessons the hard way.