ANAHEIM — The Ducks turned in an exhilarating home opener that featured five lead changes as they triumphed over Utah HC, 5-4, in overtime on Wednesday night at Honda Center. The second line sparkled, a pair of new additions registered their first points as Ducks and a young defenseman spearheaded the attack for the host before Leo Carlsson, who also had an assist, won the game 54 seconds into overtime with a Herculean shift. Pavel Mintyukov scored twice in his first career multi-goal game.
Robby Fabbri and Troy Terry each scored a goal, with Mason McTavish chipping in two assists as the Ducks won their ninth consecutive home opener. Lukáš Dostál repelled 26 shots. Jack McBain, Barrett Hayton, Michael Kesselring and Clayton Keller all scored for Utah.
McBain added an assist while Nick Schmaltz contributed two. Connor Ingram had 29 saves. Carlsson dominated his shift in overtime, settling the puck and nearly setting up the winner, then recovering it on the forecheck to glide into the slot for a silky forehand-to-backhand-to-forehand goal, unassisted, less than a minute into the extra session.
With 5:05 showing on the regulation clock, the Ducks made it a new game as Mintyukov’s second goal of the night entered the net after his sharp-angle, close-range bid handcuffed Ingram. It struck him at least twice before slipping behind him. Utah earned its second advantage of the night with 9:10 to play in the game when Schmaltz set up Utah’s captain, Keller, for a backhand .
