Frank Vatrano and Leo Carlsson score twice in Ducks’ shootout loss to Blues
Jordan Kyrou scored in the shootout and the St. Louis Blues beat the Ducks 6-5 on Sunday to preserve their slim playoff hopes.
Robert Thomas had a goal and three assists, and Zack Bolduc, Matthew Kessel, Pavel Buchnevich and Brayden Schenn also scored to help the Blues bounce back from a disastrous 3-2 overtime loss to San José on Saturday. Jordan Binnington finished with 33 saves through overtime and Kyrou had three assists.
“You just got to go compete every shift, and everyone still wants to win so that’s great we got it done in the shootout,” said Kessel, who scored his first career goal in 37 NHL games. “We definitely wish we were in a better spot, but I think we’re just looking to compete every game and just keep on winning.”
Rookie Leo Carlsson scored an impressive goal, but the Ducks failed to capitalize on their chances and were swept in their season series against Seattle.
Having come into the game with an already narrow path to reach the postseason, likely needing to win their final five games and have either Nashville or Vegas go on a major regulation losing streak, St. Louis escaped with two points despite giving up a two-goal lead in the third period.
In the tiebreaker, Kyrou converted on the Blues’ first attempt, and Binnington stopped tries by Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry after Trevor Zegras hit the post.
“We’re not mailing it in,” Thomas said. “We’re playing for pride, and obviously there’s still a little chance so we’re just doing our best to try to win every game.”
Frank Vatrano and Carlsson each had two goals, and Nikita Nesterenko also scored in the Ducks’ 14th loss in 16 games. Alex Killorn had an assist for his 500th career point, and Lukas Dostal made 26 saves.
“We have some really talented players,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin said. “Leo’s obviously very talented, I thought he was very good offensively. For most of the game, we were able to play four lines and have consistent pressure.”
Buchnevich gave the Blues a 4-2 lead early in the second period on a one-timer from the right circle for his 27th of the season. Carlsson cut it to 4-3 at 1:02 of the third period, but Schenn scored his own power-play goal to restore the two-goal advantage at 2:40.
Vatrano scored his second of the night at 8:04, and Carlsson tied it 5-5 with 3:51 remaining.
“We don’t want to give up that lead in the third, but we found a way to get the job done,” Binnington said. “Good response. We got young guys in there right now and guys playing different situations, and it’s good to see guys in opportunities just doing their best and finding a way.”
St. Louis managed to overcome not having forward Jake Neighbours and defenseman Justin Faulk available after both were injured against the Sharks. Neighbours sustained an upper-body injury on a hit from Sharks center Luke Kunin in the second period. Faulk then fought Kunin and was hurt during the scrap.
Blues interim coach Drew Bannister said before the game that Neighbours and Faulk are day-to-day pending further evaluation once the team returns to St. Louis.
Up next for the Ducks: vs. Kings at Honda Center on Tuesday night.
