After giving up the game's opening goal, the Ducks responded with two of their own, but then relied heavily on goaltender John Gibson (29 saves) to preserve the win over the final two periods. The Ducks were under siege for the majority of the middle frame - an unfortunate trend this season - but they were also able to hold off a hard-charging Devils team in the third period (including a frantic final minute) to improve their record to 21-19-9 (51 points). For the time being, the Ducks jumped up to the first wild card spot in the tightly contested Western Conference playoff race.
"Gibby was good in net and our [penalty kill] did a good job," said Daniel Sprong, who scored Anaheim's first goal and finished with two points. "It wasn't our best game, but we got the win. That's all that matters. Now it's on to tomorrow."
It was a milestone game for rookie right wing Troy Terry, who scored his first career NHL goal at the 10:38 mark of the first period to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead. It came on the power play, with Terry finding time at the right faceoff dot and unloading a wrist shot that sailed past Devils goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood, who had Devin Shore parked in front of him. Terry wasn't done, as he earned the primary assist on Derek Grant's insurance goal at the 5:11 mark of the third. Grant's goal was his third of the season and his first with Anaheim after the Ducks acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night. "It's always nice to contribute," said Grant. "I have to give credit to Terrs and Jonesy for setting that up for me. We found a way to get two points on the road. We'll take those any day."
