ANAHEIM — Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn each scored twice to lead the Anaheim Ducks to an impressive 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Honda Center on Thursday. The win snapped Anaheim's four-game skid and showcased their offensive potential.
Frank Vatrano added a goal, while Troy Terry and Jacob Trouba contributed two assists each for the Ducks (19-23-6). Goaltender John Gibson, a Pittsburgh native, was instrumental in the win, making 31 saves and providing stability in net.
"We've got a lot of talent here," said McTavish. "It feels good to see some of our hard work finally pay off."
The Penguins (20-22-8), who had come off a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings earlier in the week, couldn't maintain the same momentum. Michael Bunting scored their lone goal, and Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves in an otherwise tough outing for Pittsburgh.
Early Struggles and Strong Recovery
The Ducks faced early pressure, giving up the first seven shots on goal before managing their own at 7:58 of the first period. McTavish capitalized on an open net to secure Anaheim’s first goal at 9:28. Shortly after, Killorn extended the lead to 2-0 with a sharp wrist shot just before the period ended.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged his team's slow start, saying, "The first period just wasn’t the game we wanted to play."
Bunting's power-play goal at 5:32 of the second period brought Pittsburgh within one. However, Gibson's brilliant left-pad save on Erik Karlsson late in the period helped the Ducks maintain their advantage going into the third.
Ducks Seal the Game
McTavish struck again early in the final period, exploiting a rebound off the boards to widen the gap to 3-1. Vatrano and Killorn then added goals to secure the commanding win, with Killorn’s second tally coming on an empty net.
"We're building chemistry, and it's starting to show on the ice," said Killorn.
The Penguins, despite recent successes on their road trip, struggled to replicate their earlier performances. Sullivan emphasized the importance of consistency: "The best teams show up every night, and we have to work on that."
Game Notes
- Bryan Rust left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury. Sullivan did not provide an update postgame.
- Anaheim’s record improves to 18-0-2 when scoring three or more goals this season.
- Jacob Trouba remains a defensive powerhouse, now tied for the league lead in blocked shots (133).
For more details on the game, visit NHL's official recap. Stay updated on league stats and standings by checking out the official NHL website.
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