ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Filip Forsberg scored two goals in the third period of a five-point performance, and Matt Duchene added two power-play goals in the final minutes of the Nashville Predators’ 6-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks skid on Monday night.
Forsberg capped off his spectacular night by setting Nashville’s single-season record with his 35th goal, scoring in an empty net with 2:03 remaining. He broke the franchise record set in 2019 by Viktor Arvidsson, now with the Los Angeles Kings.
“We couldn’t let him keep it too long when he’s no longer on our team,” Forsberg said with a smile. “(Arvidsson) is one of my closest friends, but it feels good to take it from him, I’m not going to lie.”
Roman Josi and Ryan Johansen also scored for the Predators, who tied Minnesota on points for second place in the Central Division with their seventh victory in nine games.
Forsberg gave the Predators a 3-2 lead early in the third period after a turnover from Max Comtois, and Duchene added his 33rd goal just 83 seconds later with a finish between the legs – something he didn’t. hadn’t tried since childhood, he said.
Duchene was not upset that Forsberg beat him beyond Arvidsson’s record with the empty net, noting that there are still 19 games to go.
“We went back and forth,” Duchene said. “The great thing is that we push each other, and it’s not like we don’t pass each other. If you want to achieve greatness, you might as well do it together.
Anaheim cut the Predators’ lead to 4-3 on Derek Grant’s second goal with 9:47 remaining, but Duchene scored on a nice cross pass from Forsberg moments later.
“We help each other,” Forsberg said. “We try to build that chemistry. It’s getting better and better, and hopefully it’ll be a race to the end.
Juuse Saros made 21 saves for Nashville before going off the ice with 12:49 left with a problem with his skate. David Rittich played 44 seconds and made a save before Saros returned. He finished with 25 saves.
Troy Terry scored his 30th goal for the Ducks, who have lost seven in a row (0-5-2).
John Gibson stopped 25 shots in the Ducks’ first game since new general manager Pat Verbeek completed his sale on schedule by trading local veterans Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell. Anaheim is almost certain to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season, but Verbeek has built a large pipeline of top picks and young talent for the rebuild.
Trevor Zegras had two assists, giving him 30 this season and even pulling him along with Cam Fowler for the most by a rookie in Ducks history.
Josi started the Predators’ offense in the first period with the Swiss defender’s outstanding 18th goal of the season. Johansen then gave the Predators the lead on a power play early in the second with his 17th goal.
Terry equalized on a delayed penalty, putting his shot into the far top corner. The star forward is the 10th 30-goal scorer in Ducks history and the first since Rakell, who did so in 2017-18. Rakell was traded to Pittsburgh earlier Monday.
“Super proud of this kid,” Anaheim coach Dallas Eakins said of Terry. “I think it’s a great example of being patient with a player and letting him develop. We’re really proud of Troy, and it’s a big step for him.
Forward Gerry Mayhew made his Ducks debut a day after they claimed him off waivers from Philadelphia.
Anaheim forward Jakob Silfverberg missed his sixth straight game and the Ducks announced he had a blood clot in his right leg. The veteran won’t be skating for at least a few weeks, but hopes to play again this season.
REDUX DUCKS
Lindholm and Rakell were the last of four future unrestricted free agents sent by Verbeek in an acceleration of his rebuilding effort.
Verbeek said he determined days ago that he couldn’t re-sign Lindholm, Rakell, defender Josh Manson or forward Nicolas Deslauriers to acceptable deals, so he used fan favorites to rack up draft picks that can be used to replenish Anaheim’s system or make more moves. The Ducks now have 12 picks in the first two rounds of the next three drafts.
Anaheim also acquired Zach Aston-Reese and Dominik Simon from Pittsburgh for Rakell. They are expected to report to the Ducks on Tuesday.
“I’m happy with how it went to get these young players and now rack up some draft picks,” Verbeek said. “It opens up the whole situation where I can explore options over the next few months.”
FOLLOWING
Predators: at Kings on Tuesday.
Ducks: Host the Blackhawks on Wednesday.
___
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
