Ducks 3, Blue Jackets 2
ANAHEIM -- The Anaheim Ducks fell behind early but rallied with two quick goals later in the first period to continue their torrid streak with a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night at the Honda Center.
In a matchup of teams whose fortunes have veered in drastically different directions during the lockout-shortened season, the lowly Blue Jackets (4-10-2) stunned the Anaheim crowd early as Vinny Prospal scored on a goal assisted by Mark Letestu and Derek Dorsett just 3 minutes, 30 seconds into the game.
Even though the Ducks are off to a franchise-best start and they lead the Pacific Division, the early deficit was familiar territory for the team.
And as they have so often this season, the Ducks responded in a flurry.
Anaheim scored twice in 21 seconds late in the first period, and they improved to 7-2-1 when trailing 1-0.
Ducks center Peter Holland, called up from AHL Norfolk on Jan. 13, scored his first goal of the season with a beautiful flick of the wrist past Sergei Bobrovsky at the 15:56 mark. It was his second goal in eight career games.
At 16:17, Ryan Getzlaf put Anaheim up for good with some timely trickery. After a scrum against the boards in the Columbus zone, the puck bounced to Getzlaf, who spun around and swatted, the puck barely glancing past Bobrovsky as a hive of Blue Jackets congregated in front of the net.
The Ducks added a third goal in the third period as a stumbling Corey Perry poked the puck above Bobrovsky's right shoulder. Getzlaf and Sheldon Souray picked up assists on the power-play goal.
While Bobrovsky was continually tested, Jonas Hiller settled down and did not allow a goal until the 12:06 mark of the third period, when Derick Brassard put it past him for his third goal of the season.
Bobrovsky finished the game with 26 saves, while Hiller notched 25.
NOTES: Anaheim goalie Viktor Fasth was named one of the NHL's "Three Stars" of the week after becoming just the third goalie in league history to begin his career 8-0. ... The Ducks entered the game coming off a season-long six-game road trip that was a rousing success. Anaheim went 5-1 on the trip, including a 3-2 shootout victory at Nashville on Feb. 16 that iced the best road trip in club history. ... Cam Fowler remains out for the Ducks with an upper-body injury that's kept him benched for seven games. ... Columbus' Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky missed the game and are considered day-to-day with lower body injuries. Center Cam Atkinson is also out with a lower-body injury for the Blue Jackets; he was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 26 retroactive to Jan. 23. ... Anaheim has a league-leading nine players with four or more goals. ... Anaheim went 2-1-1 against Columbus last season and is 23-17-5 against the Blue Jackets all-time.
