The Anaheim Ducks (22-26-9) ended a seven-game losing streak with a 1-0 shutout against the Vancouver Canucks (25-26-7), which also included a pair of fights involving Ryan Kesler, Josh Leivo, Erik Gudbranson, and Ryan Getzlaf.
The Ducks were fired-up and won their first game after the team fired head coach Randy Carlyle. Interim coach and current GM Bob Murray earned his first coaching win in the NHL. Jakob Silfverberg scored the only goal of the game.
This has been an exciting NHL season. Out west, the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators kicked off the year with an old-fashioned line brawl. Just last week, Boston Bruins rookie Trent Frederic threw down in his NHL debut.
Ryan Kesler vs. Josh Leivo
A former Canuck dropped the gloves against a current Canuck in the first period. It happened 100 seconds after the Ducks took an early lead with the Silfverberg goal.
With 12:05 remaining in the first period, Ryan Kesler from the Ducks and Josh Leivo from the Vancouver Canucks mixed it up in front of the benches. The two grappled and spun around before falling to the ice for an uneventful draw.
Ryan Kesler, 34, started his career with the Vancouver Canucks in 2005. He signed with the Ducks in 2014 and scored at least 20 goals in his first three seasons in SoCal. Kesler only scored 8 goals this season through 57 games. Kesler won a silver medal for Team USA in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dTK9DsX8_4
Ryan Getzlaf vs. Erik Gudbranson
Less than 90 seconds into the second period, defenseman Erik Gudbranson from the Vancouver Canucks went after Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf. Earlier in the shift, Getzlaf blindsided the Canucks’ Jake Virtanen and Gudbranson went looking to settle a score.
The two dropped the gloves at center ice. Gudbranson lost his helmet early on after a couple of Getzlaf’s quick punches. They exchanged blows, but Gudbranson got the best of it before they spun to the ice.
Getzlaf is in his 13th season with the Ducks. The captain is one of the few players remaining from the 2007 Stanley Cup championship squad. He won two gold medals with Team Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQGWfgaGHVU
Updated Cup Odds: Long Ducks
The Tampa Bay Lightning are the top team in the NHL and favorites to win the Stanley Cup at 4/1 odds.
The Washington Caps are the defending champs and 18/1 odds to win the Cup after a horrendous losing streak. The Caps former head coach, Barry Trotz, is now leading the new-and-improved New York Islanders. The Islanders jumped to 15/1 odds.
The Anaheim Ducks are 300/1 odds to win the Cup, while the Vancouver Canucks are 100/1 odds.
