Recap: Two-Goal Game From Getzlaf Not Enough in 5-2 Loss to Stars

The Ducks made their second trip to Dallas in 12 days, but unfortunately the result was the same.
Despite a two-goal performance from Ryan Getzlaf, the Ducks suffered their fourth consecutive loss - this time a 5-2 setback to the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. With the loss, the Ducks' record fell to 5-5-1, and the team went winless on their two-game road trip.

Known for his nifty playmaking abilities, tonight marked Getzlaf's first multi-goal game since Game 4 of the Second Round at Edmonton on May 3, 2017. The last time he scored twice in a regular season game was Feb. 20, 2017 at Arizona.
John Gibson went the distance in goal for the Ducks, turning aside 36 shots in the loss.
Depth was the name of the game for Dallas in this one, as four different players scored their first goals of the season. Led by Jason Dickinson's two-goal game, Dallas also received goals from Roman Polak, Miro Heiskanen (first career NHL goal) and Mattias Janmark. The win lifted the Stars above the .500 mark, now 5-4-0 through nine games. Ben Bishop continued his stellar work against the Ducks in his career, improving to 8-1-2 in 11 appearances against Anaheim.
"I'm not sure what happened," said defenseman Josh Manson. "The game got away from us. We had breakdowns We got out-competed. They were sharper than us. Where do you start? We have to figure it out in our room, look ourselves in the mirror and pull ourselves out of it."
A turnover at the blueline allowed Dallas to walk in on a 2-on-1 for the first goal of the game. Dickinson, whose play at the line created the scoring chance, walked in on Gibson, made a deke to the backhand and potted it into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
Less than four minutes later, it was Anaheim's turn to take advantage of a turnover. A failed clearing attempt allowed Getzlaf to corral the puck at the top of the left circle, walk it in and fire a blistering wrist shot over Bishop's left shoulder to tie the game.

Dallas responded three minutes later with a go-ahead tally, the result of an extended shift in Anaheim's zone. Eventually the puck made its way to Polak, who carried the puck into the crease from the right dot. It marked Polak's 26th career goal in his 695th career NHL game.
The Ducks came out strong to begin the second period, tying it at two goals apiece when Getzlaf used great patience to find a shooting lane at the left dot. Things got physical moments later, as Nick Ritchie and Esa Lindell jousted in front of Bishop. Then, Radek Faksa and Marcus Pettersson dropped the gloves, each getting five minutes for fighting. [Ritchie would finish the game with an assist, two hits and a +1 rating in 9:30 TOI, but did not return to the game after the midway point of the second period with an undisclosed injury].

Dallas took the lead for the third time of the game courtesy of Heiskanen's first career NHL goal. It came off a rush that immediately followed a breakaway chance for Manson, who saw the puck bounce off his stick at the moment of truth.
Janmark gave the Stars a 4-2 lead with 8:44 remaining in the middle frame when he skated in all alone and beat Gibson with a quick snap shot for his first goal (and point) of the season.
Dickinson's second goal of the game gave the Stars a 5-2 lead with 1:54 remaining in the second period. It also gave him three points on the night.
"We need to look at the things we're doing," said Manson. "Look in the mirror. All of us can play better. Our [defensive] zone isn't where it needs to be. Our neutral zone isn't where it needs to be. We're not controlling pucks in the [offensive] zone either. It's all just combining."
The Ducks will return Orange County to open a four-game homestand beginning Sunday against the San Jose Sharks.