Before tonight’s game against Minnesota, Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau raised some eyebrows when he decided to start Anton Khudobin over Frederik Andersen.
The Ducks came into Sunday’s contest with an 0-3-1 record and starting a goaltender with a 13.97 goals-against-average and a .625 save percentage didn’t seem like a good idea.
Boudreau’s seemingly crazy decision ended up working in his team’s favor, as Khudobin stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 4-1 win over the Wild.
The 29-year-old didn’t always make it look easy, but he was effective enough to be named the game’s second star.
There were a number of hairy moments from Khudobin earlier but the veteran has looked more confident as the game has moved on.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) October 19, 2015
In other positive news, the Ducks actually scored!
Cam Fowler’s goal in the opening frame was Anaheim’s first since Sami Vatanen scored in the second period of last Monday’s game against Vancouver.
The goalless drought lasted just over 173 minutes.
Ducks scoreless streak had reached 173 minutes, 12 seconds. Getzlaf, Fowler and Hagelin with first points. Yep, that.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) October 19, 2015
Less than six minutes later, the Ducks accomplished another feat when Rickard Rakell became the team’s first forward to tally a goal this season.
Mike Santorelli and Hampus Lindholm also found the back of the net while both Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf picked up their first points of the season.
The Ducks will embark on a five-game road trip starting on Thursday. They will travel to Nashville, Minnesota, Chicago, Dallas and St. Louis before returning home to face Nashville on Nov. 1.