Recap: New Duck Milano Scores Two, Wins it in OT as Ducks Dash Oilers

ANAHEIM -- Whether yesterday's flurry of activity was a wake-up call for the team, or the new guys were looking to impress right off the bat, the Ducks looked invigorated tonight in a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory vs. the Oilers at Honda Center.

Five new faces picked up before yesterday's NHL Trade Deadline were in the lineup tonight, including winger Sonny Milano, whose two goals included the dramatic overtime game-winner 2:05 into the extra session.
The new Ducks included forwards Milano, Andrew Agozzino and Danton Heinen and defensemen Christian Djoos and Matt Irwin, all making their debuts in an Anaheim sweater. David Backes, acquired from Boston last Friday, was a healthy scratch as he gets back into game shape but should make his first appearance for the Ducks soon.
The Ducks got a golden opportunity a minute into OT when Connor McDavid was sent off for tripping Milano behind the Edmonton net. Milano not only drew the penalty but got the game-winner soon afterward when he tipped through an Adam Henrique feed from the edge of the crease to win it.

"We had a set play that didn't work out, but we went with our gut there," said Milano, a former 16th overall pick in 2014 by Columbus. "Henrique told me to switch out and he gave me a good pass. I just tapped it in."
Milano became the fourth player in club history to score two goals in his Anaheim debut, and he's the 10th player in NHL history to score an overtime goal in their first game with a franchise (career debut or otherwise).
"For all those guys coming in, it was an exciting day for them," Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said, "but you're never sure what you're going to get in a game when you plug five guys into the lineup. Sonny coming in and scoring early certainly bodes well for his confidence."
Henrique had already come through with a big goal of his own with 7 1/2 minutes left in regulation to give Anaheim a 3-2 lead. Henrique cashed in a feed from new linemate Heinen from just outside the crease for his team-leading 24th of the season. It lessened the sting of the Ducks surrendering a two-goal lead it had built in the first period.

Edmonton spoiled it by tying the game again with 4 1/2 minutes remaining when Ducks goalie John Gibson couldn't hold on to a shot from in deep by Tyler Ennis and Andreas Athanasiou pushed the loose puck over the stripe. But the combo of Henrique and Milano made that a distant memory in an impressive victory by the new-look lineup.
"Strange day with the number of different faces coming in," Henrique said. "A lot of times it's one or two guys, but tonight it was a lot of guys. I thought everybody did a good job coming in and just playing hockey."
Milano introduced himself to Ducks fans early on, scoring in the opening six minutes with a steal in the Edmonton zone and a beautiful one-handed tap past goalie Mike Smith. Milano was acquired yesterday in a trade with the Blue Jackets that saw center Devin Shore go to Columbus.

Nicolas Deslauriers made it a two-goal lead 13 minutes into the period on a one-timer off a nice feed from Jacob Larsson.

Edmonton sliced the lead in a half on a nifty redirect tip by Ennis nine minutes into the second.
They ultimately tied it early in the third one a one-timer from the right wing circle by noted Duck-killer Leon Draisaitl, his 37th of the season and eighth in his last nine games. Draisaitl has 12 goals in 22 regular season games vs. Anaheim, plus five more in a seven-game playoff series in 2017.
"Sometimes it gives you a little spark," Ryan Getzlaf said of the new troops. "I thought they came in and played a strong simple game. Our guys responded well to the trade deadline, went out on the attack and got some things done tonight."
Anaheim's six-game homestand continues Friday night vs. the Penguins at Honda Center.