1. The streak is over.
Anaheim entered the game riding a 12-game winless streak. Despite the stretch, Anaheim had been playing some decent hockey, losing four of those games in overtime, and losing by one goal on a couple of other occasions. It's held leads in the third period. It's limited other teams offensively. It's had games where it has scored goals and been unable to defend.
During that stretch, the Ducks have lost games almost every way imaginable.
Thursday, they were determined to snap that skid, jumping out to a three-goal lead just 7:58 into the game and then coasting from there.
Adam Henrique, Rickard Rakell and Brian Gibbons scored goals for Anaheim, while goaltender John Gibson made 37 saves.
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Minnesota put together a decent push in the second period, nearly getting on the board on a Jonas Brodin wraparound try that Gibson swept off the goal line at the last possible instant. Zach Parise had a breakaway chance denied. Minnesota also had a handful of shots in the final seconds of the second period while on the power play and with Gibson swimming in his crease.
Ultimately, it couldn't get it done.
2. Speaking of Parise, he piled up the shots on goal but wasn't rewarded.
The veteran winger fired 11 shots on Gibson but was unable to fill the scoresheet. It's a rare feat for Parise, who had already been credited for eight shots on goal.
In his career, Parise has fired eight shots or more on goal 41 times. In those games, Parise has scored 30 goals and dished out 27 assists. He had at least one point in 29 of those 41 games.
Thursday was one of those rare times he didn't.
3. Pontus Aberg looked solid in his Wild debut.
Acquired from the Ducks on Wednesday, Aberg was slotted right into the lineup next to Parise and Charlie Coyle. He also saw time on the team's first power play unit.
Playing for the first time in 10 days and despite having just a morning skate under his belt with his new team, Aberg had plenty of jump and was as advertised from a skill standpoint.
Aberg didn't find the scoresheet in his debut and was credited with just two shots on goal but showed off his big-time slapper on a couple of power-play one-timers. Certainly a performance to build off of.
Related:
- Fenton calls Aberg, Rask 'guys that will help us'
- Aberg debuts against former team
