Ducks' Top First-Half Moments and Accomplishments of 2023-24 Season
Today, we'll look back at the first 35 games of the 2023-24 season for the Ducks, and recap some of the best moments, which include a bevy of hat tricks, notable upsets, and stunning comeback wins.
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to “Ducks: Top First-Half Moments and Accomplishments in 2023-24 Season.” Shortly, premium posts like this one will only be available to paid subscribers of THW Substack. Get access to all of The Hockey Writers’ premium content, including exclusive subscriber-only reports, analysis, long-form commentary, podcasts, video recaps, and much more… all with one subscription!
Be sure to upgrade if you never want to miss out on this segment in the future.
The Anaheim Ducks have reached the final day of 2023, a year of significance for the franchise. Why, might you ask, is that?
Well, 2023 marks the franchise’s 30th birthday. It also marks 20th anniversary of Jean-Sebastien Giguere’s Conn Smythe-winning performance in the Ducks’ first run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2003. It also marks the 20th anniversary of the selection of franchise icons Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. So yes, this year bears historical significance.
On the ice, however, the turn of the calendar year will hopefully amount to a blessing for the team. They currently sit seventh in the Pacific Division standings with a 13-22 record. In spite of this, there have been no shortage of electric, memorable moments and performances, and we’ll reminisce about those top moments (ordered chronologically) today in this second piece of premium content for you to enjoy. Happy reminiscing!
1. October 16, 2023: Ducks Debut Anniversary Threads and Dominate Hurricanes
How can we forget the 30th home opener in Ducks history? Wearing their 30th anniversary season uniforms, which honors their original plum and jade color scheme, the Ducks jumped all over the Carolina Hurricanes and never looked back. Frank Vatrano was the star of the game with his hat trick that helped seal the win. Sam Carrick, Cam Fowler, and Pavel Mintyukov also scored in an all-around electric night at Honda Center.
2. October 26, 2023: Ducks Down Bruins in Overtime After Late-Third Period Comeback
The first month of the Ducks’ 2023-24 schedule included a gauntlet of tough matchups against Stanley Cup contenders, including two with the Bruins. They played the Bruins close but lost the first matchup at Honda Center, and traveled to Boston a week later for the rematch.
Similar to their first matchup, the Ducks played the Bruins even all night. They went shot-for-shot and hit-for-hit with them, but still found themselves trailing 3-1 with a few minutes remaining in the game. With the extra attacker on, the Ducks held the puck in the offensive zone effectively and mounted chance after chance. Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry scored less than two minutes apart to tie the game. In the three-on-three overtime session, Carlsson and McTavish perfectly executed a two-on-one to seal the comeback victory. It was their second win of the six-game streak, and their best win of the season at that time. It’s one of the many comeback wins the Ducks have this season.
3. October 30, 2023: McTavish Leads Ducks to Last-Second Win Over Penguins
McTavish and the Ducks were at it again just a few days after their rally over the Bruins. This time, it was against the still-dangerous Pittsburgh Penguins, who added Erik Karlsson to their lengthy list of skill players in the offseason.
The Ducks had little business winning this game. They gave the Penguins seven power play opportunities, but killed five of them. They surrendered 42 shots on goal to their 27, and only won 30% of their faceoffs. Yet and still, the Ducks found themselves in the game the entire time, courtesy of a power play goal of their own by Frank Vatrano and an even-strength marker by Jakob Silfverberg.
McTavish, who had two of his three points in the third period, was the hero once again. He and the Ducks quickly responded to Radim Zohorna’s early third period goal to tie the game. Then, with 15 seconds left, he found himself on a shorthanded breakaway. He beat Tristan Jarry top-shelf with a quick wrist shot, which sent the Ducks on their way to another spectacular win and their fourth in a row.
4. November 1, 2023: Troy Terry Records Hat Trick and Four Points in Overtime Win Over Coyotes
In recent seasons, Troy Terry has many a time endeared himself to the Ducks faithful with his game-breaking finishing ability. It was on full display on this night, when he played a hand in each of the Ducks’ four goals in the 4-3 overtime win.
Terry displayed his offensive versatility on each scoring sequence. He used his superior foot speed and quickness to create an opportunity for himself. He crashed the net for a rebound opportunity on another, and put himself in the right place at the right time on the third. He is part and parcel of the Ducks’ offensive attack, and he demonstrated his impact in no game more than this one.
5. November 10, 2023: 18-year old Leo Carlsson Records Hat Trick in Loss to Flyers
Despite the 6-3 loss, Carlsson flashed his talent, offensive abilities, and potential as he scored each goal for the Ducks in the contest. He scored on even strength and the power play, and used his versatile skills as a big, tall power forward to convert on different types of offensive opportunities. At 18 years, 319 days old, Carlsson became the 6th youngest player in the last 30 years to produce a hat trick. He became the third Ducks rookie, after Bobby Ryan and Sam Steele, to record three goals in a game.
He has flashed this elite skill throughout the season so far and will only get better. For the moment, he is on the shelf recovering from a knee injury, but the hope is he returns late in the season to produce some more magic alongside his young and talented offensively-minded teammates.
6. December 2, 2023: Ducks Win Shootout Thriller Over Mighty Avalanche
Having lost 8-2 to the Avalanche just a few weeks prior, the Ducks went into this game significant underdogs. No one gave them a chance to win. They overcame an early deficit, stopped the Avalanche’s vaunted power play unit, and got masterful goaltending by John Gibson, who has been a pillar of consistency throughout his Ducks career. It was Alex Killorn’s best game as a Duck at the time. He recorded a goal and an assist, while Carlsson also recorded a goal. He would also score the shootout winner on an incredible move that completely fooled Ivan Prosvetov. Incredible night all-around, one that makes you appreciate the high entertainment value of an action-packed hockey game.
7. December 23, 2023: Trevor Zegras Returns from Injury and Records Incredible Michigan Goal Against Kraken
Trevor Zegras was one of many Ducks players to miss significant time in the first half of the season. After six or so weeks, he returned right before the Christmas break to face the Seattle Kraken on Dec. 23. He stepped right into his usual role on the top offensive line and was energetic right from the drop of the puck. He was quick, physical, and opportunistic, recording two hits and five shots on goal.
Late in the third with the Ducks trailing, Zegras brought life to the stadium by picking the puck up with the toe of his stick as he skated behind the net and burying a “Michigan” goal top-corner that beat Kraken goalie Joey Daccord. It was classic Zegras, who packaged elite skill and confidence with some unique flavor all in one three-second play. Although Connor Bedard recorded the same type of goal on the same night, these plays are rare, and Zegras is one of the few players in the NHL with the skill and confidence to try it, even if it’s late in the game.
8. Ducks Take Two of Three Games Over Reigning Champion Golden Knights
The Ducks have the distinct displeasure of matching up with the reigning champion Golden Knights four times this season. The first included the season opener on Oct. 15. They lost that one, but impressively won the next two on Nov. 5 and Dec. 27. In each of those games, they used a pair of four-goal periods to emerge victorious.
On Nov. 5, the Ducks put together a four-goal third period to complete the comeback win, which was their sixth and final win of their streak. Carrick had two goals, including an empty-netter, Adam Henrique had one, and McTavish had the other, which was the game-winner.
On Dec. 27, the Ducks sprinted out of the gate with a four-goal opening frame. Brett Leason, Jamie Drysdale, Terry, and Vatrano would get the goals, and it would be enough to carry the Ducks to a 5-2 victory. This was their first game out of the Christmas break, and the Ducks overwhelmed the Golden Knights with their energy, pace, and pressure.
9. Ducks Score 24 Goals During Six-Game Win Streak between Nov. 24 – Dec. 6
The highlight of the Ducks’ season so far is undoubtedly their six-game winning streak, during which their scored 24 goals and beat an impressive batch of opponents. They dismantled the Columbus Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and the Vegas Golden Knights. The streak included dominant wins over superior teams, third period comebacks, and last-minute victories. They were getting contributions up and down the lineup, including elite production from McTavish, Ryan Strome, and Vatrano, and impressive play from young players like Pavel Mintyukov and Carlsson. The streak unfortunately has been followed by a two-month stretch of wildly inconsistent play, but for a moment it gave us all a glimpse of what this team, and its future, is capable of.
10. Trio of Young Ducks Record Their First Career NHL Goals
This season is notable for the insertion of young talent into the Ducks’ lineup. Gone are the days of signing stop-gap veterans because the Ducks’ future has arrived. Rookies are a staple in the lineup, which at times has been a blessing, and other times, not so much. One thing for sure is, it’s a breath of fresh air.
Several of these young players have scored their first career goals. Let’s start with Mintyukov’s, which came in the home opener against the Hurricanes. In an electric opening period that already featured goals by Vatrano and Carrick, Mintyukov followed it up by converting an exceptional pass by fellow rookie Jackson LaCombe. His smooth maneuvering and nifty pass created a wide-open net for Mintyukov to shoot at, and he didn’t miss.
Carlsson’s first came next a few days later against the Dallas Stars. It came on a two-on-one conversion thanks to a brilliant pass by Terry. He slid the puck over to Carlsson at the perfect time, who caught, collected, and shot the puck all in one motion to score his first of eight goals so far this season. Carlsson and Terry are part of a top offensive line for the Ducks that has often included Zegras or Killorn, and has the looks of a dynamic line for years to come.
The most recent one was Tristan Luneau’s, which came against the Washington Capitals on Nov. 30. He was in the right place at the right time to retrieve a puck turned over by the Capitals. He levied a shot on net, which was saved, but buried his own rebound, which tied the game early in the first period. The Ducks lost the closely contested game, but, like the others, Luneau will remember that first goal forever.
Honorable Mentions:
October 16 and 28, 2023: Vatrano records two hat tricks two weeks apart
No less notable than any other hat trick or individual performance on the list, Vatrano recorded two hat tricks in the first month of the season. The first came in the home-opening win against the Hurricanes, and the second a week later in the 7-4 win over the Flyers. These two performances are the highlights of a red-hot first half of the season for Vatrano, who has rebounded well after a sluggish debut season in Anaheim in 2022-23. To date, he has 16 goals, nine assists, and 25 points. He’s been a key component of the Ducks’ offense and his continued production will be necessary if the Ducks are to have a better second half.
December 17: Henrique nets hat trick against former team
Not to be outdone, Henrique recorded his first career hat trick against the Devils, the team he played with for eight seasons before arriving in Anaheim in 2018. It was the Ducks’ fifth hat trick of the season (Vatrano 2x, Terry, and Carlsson).
The hat trick came at the perfect time for Henrique and the Ducks. The team was reeling from a stretch of poor play offensively, they were down many skilled players, and they needed players to step up. On this night, he played big, and it flashed back to prior seasons, when he was one of the more consistent offensive contributors in a Ducks uniform. He too, will need to step up his production if the Ducks are going to make something of the second half of the season.
Well, that’s it for my list. Those are the top games, moments, and accomplishments of the first half of the 2023-24 season. What did you think? What are your top moments? We’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading, we wish you all a safe, happy, and wonderful New Year!