Vancouver Canucks’ Henrik Sedin scores on a penalty shot against Nashville Predators goalie Chris Mason during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia on Thursday. (Reuters)
Agencies/Dallas
Ryan Getzlaf scored on a backhand in the third round of the shootout and Jonas Hiller made 33 saves to help lead the Ducks to a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
“I got to take what he gives me and he was playing pretty deep in his net,’’ Getzlaf said of his move that beat Dallas goaltender Kari Lehtonen. “He didn’t give me much for the shot - if the shot’s there, I’m probably taking it, that’s one of the other options.’’
Andrew Cogliano scored in regulation for Anaheim, which has won five in a row and gone nine games without a regulation defeat (7-0-2).
Despite missing star Corey Perry, who was serving the first of a four-game suspension for his hit on Minnesota’s Jason Zucker on Tuesday, Anaheim improved its record to 9-2-3 on the road.
“Is it better to be good than lucky or is it better to be lucky or whatever the phrase is,’’ Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “But I mean, when you’re playing really good, things seem to go off the post, because maybe that’s all they have to shoot at. I’d rather take that than the alternative, because we’ve been on the other side of it.’’
Bobby Ryan also scored in the shootout, while Hiller stopped both Dallas shooters he faced.
“If you’re fighting hard and doing the right things, things will go your way,’’ said Hiller, who is 7-0-1 in his past eight outings.
“Definitely I feel pretty good right now and I’m confident in how I’m playing, but at the same time, I know I’m playing well because I’m battling, I’m pushing myself and that’s when you get lucky.’’
Ray Whitney, in his second game back after missing 16 due to a broken foot, scored the only goal for the Stars, who have scored just two in their past three games.
Lehtonen, making his sixth straight start, had 29 saves.
Dallas was missing center Jamie Benn, who sat out his second straight game with a wrist injury, but had numerous opportunities that it didn’t capitalise on, missing five breakaways, hitting three goalposts or crossbars and having what could have been the go-ahead goal disallowed.