Unflappable – Ducks make it nine in a row

By Jen D’Amico

The Ducks can hang their stockings by the chimney with care and start to enjoy their Christmas Holiday, because a win against the Washington Capitals tonight makes it 9 straight for them, a franchise record, and keeps them in the number one spot in the league with 59 points.

It was Coach Boudreau’s first time back on a Capitals bench, only this time on the visitor’s side.

“I’m trying to be as business-like as possible,” said Boudreau at morning skate. “But there are a lot of great memories in this building.”

Also returning to Verizon Center for the first time since being acquired from the Caps is forward Mathieu Perreault, who joined Anaheim in late September.

“It’s a little exciting, but I don’t know what to expect,” he said. “It’s going to be weird being on the other side of the ice. It’s a fun building to play in. It’s going to be exciting.”

The Ducks faced an early 2-0 deficit, similar to Saturday night’s game against the Islanders. Refusing to quit after a scramble in front of the net, Andrew Cogliano snuck in a backhand to get the Ducks on the board with less then 3 minutes left in the first period.

The Ducks had the upper hand most of the second with 6:43 of power play time, but it wasn’t until the last minute of the period when Ben Lovejoy challenged his inner offensman and rushed from end to end to make a one handed pass to Saku Koivu whose wrist shot tied it up 2-2.

With 5 minutes left in the game, Hampus Lindholm put the Ducks on top, taking an assist from Ryan Getzlaf. With only minutes left in the 3rd period and Washington looking to answer back, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, known for his last minute game-tying and game-winning goals, celebrated as the siren went off. However, it was called no-goal and upheld after video review showed a deflect off the crossbar.

Despite allowing 2 goals early on, Ducks Goalie Jonas Hiller made 17 saves.

“That’s our success right now,” Hiller said. “We don’t look back. We don’t stop playing our game even if we’re down a goal, two goals.”

The Ducks take the contest 3-2 to end their 4 game road trip, and take the 2 points to further secure their top spot in the league.

They return to home ice on Saturday to face the Phoenix Coyotes. The Ducks have won all 3 matchups with the Coyotes this season.