Seattle Kraken’s Andre Burakovsky (95) and Anaheim Ducks’ Dmitry Kulikov (29) watch a shot by Burakovsky during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Seattle Kraken’s Ryan Donato (9) chases the puck as he is followed by Anaheim Ducks’ Dmitry Kulikov (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks celebrate a goal by Mason McTavish, as Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tanev skates toward the team’s bench during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Seattle Kraken goaltender Martin Jones (30) makes a save against Anaheim Ducks’ Max Jones (49) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks’ Frank Vatrano (77) and Seattle Kraken’s Matty Beniers (10) chase the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks’ Troy Terry (19) celebrates his goal as he skates past Seattle Kraken’s Adam Larsson during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks’ Max Jones (49) moves the puck under pressure from Seattle Kraken’s Justin Schultz (4) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks’ Max Jones (49) falls to the ice after he was checked by Seattle Kraken’s Yanni Gourde (37) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Seattle Kraken’s Ryan Donato (9) fights for the puck against Anaheim Ducks’ Isac Lundestrom (21) and Jakob Silfverberg (33) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Seattle Kraken’s Vince Dunn (29) leaps to avoid a check from Anaheim Ducks’ Sam Carrick (39) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks’ Dmitry Kulikov (29) and Seattle Kraken’s Yanni Gourde (37) watch as Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) makes a save against Gourde during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM — Not only did the Ducks lose for the fifth time in six games – this time a 5-4 defeat to the Seattle Kraken – their franchise goalie John Gibson left the game with an injury early in the third period on Sunday at Honda Center.
Gibson was injured on the Kraken’s go-ahead goal, by Daniel Sprong, at 3:41 of the third period, breaking a 4-4 tie, when he tried to make a sprawling save on Sprong. Ducks defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk landed on Gibson at the top of the crease after contact with Ryan Donato.
Gibson immediately headed back to the dressing room, and backup Anthony Stolarz came on in relief. Stolarz has come on in relief of Gibson three times this season but it has always been at the start of the period. Gibson faced 19 shots and made 14 saves.
The up-and-down game closely resembled the first Ducks-Kraken game in the season opener for both teams on Oct. 12, in which the Ducks won 5-4 after rallying from 4-2 third-period deficit. This time, the Ducks (6-15-1) fell behind two goals, three times.
They got back into it as their power play flickered to life for the first time in four games. The Ducks, whose power play was ranked last in the NHL, managed to score three power-play goals for the first time this season as they went 3 for 4 with the man advantage, on goals by Troy Terry, Mason McTavish and Adam Henrique. The lone even-strength goal by the Ducks was scored by Derek Grant, who returned after missing 10 games with an upper-body injury. Trevor Zegras had three assists.
NHL rookie scoring leader Matty Beniers led the Kraken with a goal and two assists, and Sprong, the former Duck, added an assist to go along with his game-winning goal.
