HOCKEY: After emotional win, Ducks get right back to work at Columbus

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be the more rested team when they look to snap a five-game losing streak on Tuesday in a home matchup against the Anaheim Ducks.

Anaheim, fresh off a 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Monday night, is coming off a two-game skid. The win was significant, as it not only ended the losing streak but also gave the Ducks an opportunity to finish their five-game road trip with a winning record.

The Ducks' victory was marked by strong performances from key players, including Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, who were making their return to Madison Square Garden for the first time since their departure to Anaheim. Anaheim took a 1-0 lead in the second period with a short-handed goal— their sixth of the season— and despite the Rangers' equalizer, Anaheim struck again with three third-period goals to seal the win.

Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier, who scored two goals in the decisive third period, reflected on the team's performance. "I thought we played a really good 40 minutes leading up to the third period," Gauthier said. "It was obviously a big game for our team, and for two guys in that locker room. The main goal was coming out with a win, and we did that. Everyone was extra motivated in the last 20 minutes to get the job done and fight for the two points."

Kreider, who played 18:04 minutes—the second-most among Anaheim forwards—along with Trouba, both received warm video tributes during the game. Gauthier expressed his appreciation for the pair’s contributions, saying, "They've done so much for this franchise over the years they spent here. It just goes to show you, the whole fan base was yelling and screaming for them. They must have done a great job, and we're super lucky to have them on our side now."

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, haven’t played since Saturday, when they lost 3-2 to the visiting Vegas Golden Knights. Despite the defeat, coach Dean Evason saw improvement in his team's performance after a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators earlier in the week.

"It was unfortunate we didn't get rewarded," Evason said. "They played hard, played the right way. For whatever reason, we’re not catching a break here and there, with a couple of posts, but we have to keep working. We're doing all the right things, and if we continue that, things will go our way."

The Blue Jackets held a 1-0 lead heading into the second period against the Golden Knights, then maintained a 2-1 advantage 4:49 into the third, but ultimately fell to the Pacific Division leaders. Evason noted, "They're a good team. We're a good team. It's hard to continually say we didn't catch a break, but we worked hard. The other night against the Senators, we didn't like our commitment. Against Vegas, we did the right things."

One line that's stood out for Columbus is the trio of Miles Wood, Charlie Coyle, and Cole Sillinger. The line has been solid defensively and even contributed offensively, with Coyle and Sillinger combining for the Blue Jackets' first goal against the Golden Knights. "That line has been good," Evason said. "They've been able to defend really well for us as a unit, and we think they have the ability to score goals, too. We've never really had a 'checking line,' but most nights, especially at home, they’re the line that's going to play against the opponent’s top line."

As both teams prepare for Tuesday's contest, it promises to be an intriguing matchup with plenty on the line for both sides. -Field Level Media/Reuters