On the surface the Ducks 4-0 win over the Flames had the appearance of a rout, and while it’s not debatable whether the Flames should have won or lost, it was closer than the final score indicated.
But it was still a Flames loss and they have now lost 16 straight games in Anaheim.
On media row during the first intermission, where a number of NHL scouts gathered, the sentiment was “the Flames can’t get any breaks in this building.”
The score was 1-0 Ducks after the first on a goal by Daniel Winnik only 1:15 into the game, but Calgary had clearly dominated. They outshot the Ducks 10-4 but couldn’t solve goalie Viktor Fasth.
It was the same for most of the second period. At one point, the Flames held a 21-6 shot edge. It was only after the Ducks got a couple of late goals from Bobby Ryan and Sheldon Souray that the complexion of the game changed.
“We had to open up when we got behind 2-0 and they got more chances,” Flames coach Bob Hartley said.
The Ducks would add another goal in the third period by Ryan Getzlaf, celebrating his eight-year, $66-million contract extension he signed earlier Friday.
It was the Ducks 10th straight home win after losing the home opener. Fasth recorded his second shutout, bringing his record to an astounding 10-1-1.
Coach Hartley was clearly frustrated with the loss.
“We aren’t happy with the result but we can’t fault our effort or commitment, we just couldn’t finish around the net”.
Now it’s back-to-back games in L.A. against the Stanley Cup champion Kings on Saturday and Monday.
The good news is the Flames have won in their last two visits to the Staples Center. Now they need to win two more to make it a successful three-game trip to Southern California.