Overtime blunder lifts Coyotes over Ducks

Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf was guilty of a brutal turnover in overtime on Monday. (USATSI)

Things were finally starting to look up for the Anaheim Ducks. They not only carried a four-game winning streak into Monday’s home game against the Arizona Coyotes, but they also jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and looked to be on their way to another win as they attempt to climb out of the early season hole they put themselves in.

But thanks to a huge second period by the Coyotes’ Anthony Duclair and Max Domi (they combined for three goals) the Ducks found themselves trailing late in the third period until Sami Vatanen was able tie the game back up. It was all downhill for the Ducks from that point on.

After failing to capitalize on a lengthy two-man advantage in the final minutes that could have put them ahead, Ryan Getzlaf violated the first rule of 3-on-3 overtime: He turned the puck over.

And not only did he turn the puck over, he turned it over by trying to make a no-look drop pass in the neutral zone when none of his teammates were there to accept it.

Unfortunately for Getzlaf and the Ducks, Mikkel Boedker was there, and he didn’t waste the opportunity.

A mistake at one end, but no mistake at the other end. #ARIvsANA #3on3OT https://t.co/9bQ7xLUDkW

— NHL (@NHL) November 10, 2015

That gave the Coyotes a 4-3 win. After the game, Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau was critical of his top line, as well as that play, via Greg Beacham of the Associated Press.

Bruce Boudreau on his top line: “They weren’t very good. Call it whatever you want. … You can’t drop-pass to nobody. You don’t do it.”

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) November 10, 2015

And he’s right about the drop-pass to nobody, especially in overtime. That’s at least the second overtime game that has ended this season because somebody tried a pass just like that. Earlier this year the Islanders lost a game during 3-on-3 play when Frans Nielsen had this happen against the Carolina Hurricanes.

We’re still learning about 3-on-3 hockey and how teams are going to play it, but based on the first month we can probably safely say this: Blind prop passes are a bad idea.

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