The Anaheim Ducks’ executive vice president and general manager, Bob Murray, has resigned from his position.

The move is effective immediately, and Murray will enroll in an alcohol abuse program. The decision was made one day after the Ducks placed Murray on administrative leave pending an internal investigation into allegations of improper professional conduct.

Anaheim has not specified when these complaints were made, or how many people have come forward.

Anaheim’s owner Henry Samueli met with Murray earlier on Wednesday prior to news of Murray’s departure becoming public:

“First and foremost, we apologize on behalf of the organization to anyone affected by misconduct from Bob,” Henry and Susan Samueli said in a Wednesday statement. “We expect every member of our organization to be treated with respect and will not stand for abuse of any kind. We will now begin a methodical, extensive search for a permanent general manager to lead us forward. We expect to complete this process no later than next summer.”

Moments after the news was announced, the NHL released a statement, tying the investigation back to its hotline used to reporting such tips and details.

“We support the decision by Bob Murray to resign his position,” the league wrote. “While we understand that he is seeking appropriate counseling and treatment for his personal issues, there is no excuse and there is no place in our League for the type of behavior that was recently reported through the NHL hotline. We thank the Ducks’ organization for its prompt and appropriate response to the hotline reports. The league and its clubs are committed to a safe and welcoming workplace across the NHL and will continue to take any and all action to achieve that goal.”

Murray said in the team’s news release:

“I want to apologize to anyone adversely affected by my behavior. I vow to make changes to my life, starting with enrolling in a treatment program. I want to thank Henry and Susan Samueli, and Michael Schulman, as working for them has been one of the highlights of my career. As I step away from the Ducks, I will focus my attention on where it should be: improving my life for the betterment of my family and friends.”

After 15 seasons and raising four up Stanley Cups, forward Chris Kunitz intends to call it a career this offseason.

After finishing his playing career and now starting his next opportunity with his current team, Kunitz reportedly plans to stay with the Chicago Blackhawks as a developmental player advisor to usher in his life’s next stage.

Kunitz issued nothing but thanks for his teammates and coaches after announcing his plans to hang up his skates, and stated, “Your leadership helped mold me into the player I knew I could be. I was given the opportunity to play with the very best teams and the very best players and I’m grateful for the laughs and the friendships that we shared together.”

Former teammates such as Ian Cole and other fans also expressed their thanks for Kunitz across Twitter Tuesday night.

Kunitz finishes out an applause-warranting career with 268 goals and 351 assists while playing in 1,022 games split up between the Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and most notably, the Pittsburgh Penguins. While serving as a linemate for the all–time great Sidney Crosby during his time in Pittsburgh, he won his last three championships as a Penguin.

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Aside from his successful years in Pittsburgh, Kunitz also captured a Stanley Cup while paying for the team that drafted him, the Ducks, in 2007.

Kunitz addressed each organization he played for, thanking them for not only the way they treated him but also his family over his career. Kunitz commented, “I’d like to sincerely thank the Anaheim Ducks, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks. Every one of these organizations was the ultimate example, not only to me, but to my children, on what true professionalism should be.”

Jeremy Colliton said he is excited to have Kunitz aboard going forward, and Kunitz’s coach-turned-colleague stated, “I’m very pleased to have him a part of our coaching group and, also, use him as a development resource for our young players in Rockford.” Kunitz likely plans to serve Colliton’s players directly as an advisor, while also tending to the club’s AHL team, the Rockford IceHogs.

Goalkeeper Martin Jones put on a great performance, and the San Jose Sharks edged the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 at home on Wednesday night to sweep their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

Sharks vs. Ducks NHL Playoffs Game 4 Score

Jones finished with 30 saves, 14 of them in the second period of Game 4.

“We’re playing well going into the second round,” stated defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic. “Everybody is contributing if it’s offensively, blocking shots, taking a hit. Everybody is doing what they have to for us to win.”

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San Jose outscored Anaheim 16-4 in this four-game series. In the middle period on Wednesday, the Sharks struggled significantly, and several of the team’s players credited Jones with keeping it from becoming a total disaster. During that frame, the goaltender helped kill three of San Jose’s four penalties of the night.

Marcus Sorensen’s goal in the first period, his third of the playoffs, gave San Jose a 1-0 lead. Anaheim’s Andrew Cogliano tied it 1-1 at 7:53 of the final period with a shot from the slot. Then just 1:16 later, the Sharks got up 2-1 when Vlasic’s point shot bounced off Tomas Hertl and into the net.

“I’m just really proud of our group, the resiliency, the composure,” stated Sharks coach Peter DeBoer. “We asked them to come into this series and play with composure. We knew what we were going to get, they were going to try to push us out of the series physically. We stood in there and did it without taking penalties and with discipline.”

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The Sharks will next visit the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 1 of the Western Conference second-round playoff series. The date and time of that opening game have yet to be announced. The Golden Knights also swept the Los Angeles Kings in four games.

Here are more highlights from Thursday’s game:

Corey Perry scored in overtime to lift the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-2 road victory over the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of the NHL Western Conference Final to even the best-of-seven series 2-2.

Corey Perry Scores in OT, Ducks Beat Predators 3-2 In Game 4

At 10:25 of the extra session, Perry fired a shot at the goal from the right boards, and the puck ricocheted off Predators defenseman P.K. Subban’s stick and past Pekka Rinne.

With the game-winner, his 36th goal, the Ducks right wing and alternate captain passed Teemu Selanne for second place on the franchise’s all-time playoff scoring list. Perry also scored on his 32nd birthday in Tuesday’s Game 3, which Anaheim lost 2-1 in Nashville.

“Like we’ve been saying all playoffs, we have a checklist that we go through every single day,” Perry said. “It doesn’t matter when it is in the game, you’ve got to go back, you’ve got to think of what’s on that list and adversity is one of them, ebbs and flows of a game.

“We knew coming into overtime, you put that jersey on you, go out and play like you did in the first period; hard-nosed, pucks in deep. We kind of changed the momentum there. We got some chances, and we got the break.”

Predators forward Filip Forsberg tied it 2-2 with 34.5 seconds remaining in regulation. Viktor Arvidsson passed the puck from behind the net and Forsberg shot through John Gibson’s five-hole for his seventh goal.

Rickard Rakell and Nick Ritchie gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead with goals in the first and second period, respectively. Rakell’s slap shot at 11:30 of the first beat Rinne from the top of the left face-off circle, as Anaheim caught Nashville in a line change. Then at 10:22 of the second, Ritchie fired a wrist shot from the right face-off circle between the legs of Nashville defenseman Roman Josi and past Rinne for his fourth postseason goal.

Subban opened scoring for the Predators at 13:33 with a slap shot from the right point for his second playoff goal. The puck passed through traffic for the score.

“I thought we did a good job of getting back in the game,” Subban said. “We had an opportunity in overtime and just an unlucky bounce so turn the page and get ready for next game.”

Nashville had a 5-on-3 power-play for 1:31 in the third but was unable to score.

Anaheim allowed two shots on goal in the opening period, a franchise record for least shots surrendered in a period of a Stanley Cup Playoff game.

Game 5 is Saturday at 7:15 pm EST in Anaheim.

NASHVILLE, TN – MAY 18: Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks shoots the puck against Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators during the second period in Game Four of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 18, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg scored in the third period to lift the Nashville Predators to a 2-1 home victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference Final series on Tuesday.

Roman Josi, filip forsberg Score In Predators’ 2-1 Game 3 Win vs Ducks

Josi netted the game-winner on a power play with 2:43 left by shooting into a nearly wide-open goal after Anaheim goalie John Gibson seemed to momentarily lose track of the puck and shifted to his right.

Josi took the shot after the puck bounced off Viktor Arvidsson’s leg and fortuitously landed right in his path.

The Predators have won six straight home playoff games this year, and lead the best-of-seven Western Conference Final series 2-1.

“To have our fans standing up the whole third period, cheering us on, gave us a lot of energy,” Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm said.

Ducks winger Chris Wagner landed in the penalty box for high-sticking Ryan Ellis when Josi scored.

Anaheim led 1-0 after right winger Corey Perry scored on a power play with 4:25 remaining in the second period to celebrate his 32nd birthday. Perry took a wrist shot from a terrible angle (below the right face-off circle) that ricocheted off of Predators goalie Pekka Rinne and into the net.

Nashville held Anaheim without a shot for the first 11:43 of the second period.

Forsberg tied it 1-1 at 3:54 of the third with a wrist shot from the left face-off circle.

The Ducks, who outshot the Predators 40-20, had a goal discounted at 8:18 of the second period. Rinne made a skate-save on Brandon Montour’s shot, but Ekholm hit the puck into his own net. Officials waived off the goal since the net came off the moorings.

Former NHL referee Kerry Fraser agreed with the decision.

Fraser also defended the officials’ avoiding a delay of game penalty since Rinne didn’t intentionally touch the net, but merely used his hands in a “defensive posture to protect his face and head from contacting the post.”

Nashville had two of its own goals disallowed in the final period after Forsberg scored.

Harry Zolnierczyk was in the crease and fell on Gibson before Colton Sissons scored. The goal was waived off on the ice.

Ekholm was then called goaltender interference at 6:33 after charging at Gibson and knocking him over before Ryan Johansen netted.

“I thought that was just fruit of whatever we put in throughout the 40 minutes before,” Forsberg said. “Obviously we wanted those goals to be counted, but at the same time we just kept playing. I don’t think anyone said anything negatively or anything. Just kept playing, kept being focused and then obviously that power play came up huge.”

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle lamented his team’s effort, both defensively and offensively.

“We didn’t do a very good job in front of [Gibson] as far as managing the puck and then managing the people that were inside,” Carlyle said. “Through the comparison we look at, they worked harder to get inside than we did tonight.”

Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals is Thursday at 8 pm EST in Nashville.

NASHVILLE, TN – MAY 16: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators skates during the third period in Game Three of the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Ryan Johansen lashed out at Ryan Kesler following the Anaheim center’s elbow to the head of his Nashville counterpart in the Ducks‘ 5-3 Game 2 home victory over the Predators on Sunday.

Predators’ Ryan Johansen Criticizes Ducks’ Ryan Kesler Game 2

Kesler and Johansen were physical with each other the entire night, and one of the biggest hits came early in the game when the former aggressively elbowed the latter in the head. The Predators star also took a high-sticking penalty on the Ducks center in the second period.

“He just blows my mind,” Johansen told reporters after the game. “I don’t know what’s going through his head out there. His family and friends watching him play, I don’t know how you cheer for a guy like that.”

The 24-year-old Canadian, who scored Nashville’s opening goal at 4:18 of the first period, continued his diatribe against Kesler.

“It just doesn’t make sense how he plays the game,” Johansen said. “I’m just trying to go out there and play hockey, and it sucks when you have to pull a stick out of your groin after every shift.”

Kesler, meanwhile, seemed unapologetic about his violent playing style.

“I play the game hard and obviously he doesn’t like that,” the Ducks center responded.

Predators coach Peter Laviolette lauded Johansen for his performance on Sunday and for remaining calm after Kesler’s hits.

“I think Ryan has been completely composed,” Laviolette said. “The penalty that he took tonight was a face-off where he was battling for a puck, and the stick came up. I think it was more accidental than anything.”

Johansen’s teammate Filip Forsberg echoed Laviolette’s sentiment: the Predators forward also noted how well the center played in Friday’s 3-2 overtime victory over the Ducks at Honda Center.

“I think (Johansen) is playing unbelievable. You saw the first period, he was the best player on the ice by far and after that I think he was still playing well,” Forsberg said. “You can look at the statistics. He is showing up every category and I think he has been playing really well for the first two (games).”

The NHL Conference Finals between the Ducks and Predators is tied 1-1. Game 3 is Tuesday at 8 pm in Nashville.

ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 14: Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators protects the puck from Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks in the first period of Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 14, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Anaheim Ducks may have won Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series on Sunday in Edmonton, Alberta, but it was the Oilers’ fan base that proved to be the most classy.

Ducks Owners Thank Oilers Fans for Singing National Anthems After Mic Problems

As country music star Brett Kissel walked onto the ice at Rogers Place to sing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” his microphone stopped working. However, Kissel didn’t fret and instead asked to the home crowd of 18,000-plus fans to help him out.

The fans, most of them Oilers supporters, almost immediately rose to the challenge and began crooning not just the Canadian anthem (“O Canada”), but also the American anthem.

The crowd then did the same with the Canadian anthem. After the game, Kisssel took to Twitter — where the moment quickly began trending — to thank the fans in Edmonton for their participation amid the technical difficulties.

Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli released a statement Monday to congratulate the Oilers fans for their “inspiring” and “powerful” performance:

“Congratulations to the Edmonton fans for creating such a special moment last night by singing both of the national anthems,” the statement read. “To hear the audience passionately sing both the Canadian and United States anthems was inspiring and powerful. Well done, Edmonton!”

The Ducks won the game 6-3 and now lead the Western Conference Series 2-1. Game 4 is Wednesday in Edmonton.

Six different NHL teams played in their first playoff game on Thursday night, and the three who emerged the winners were the Nashville Predators, the Washington Capitals and the Anaheim Ducks.

NHL Playoffs Round 1: Capitals Top Maple Leafs In OT, Predators beat Blackhawks

Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne stopped 29 shots, and winger Viktor Arvidsson scored a goal at 7:52 of the first period to lift the Predators to a 1-0 road victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Predators now lead the Western Conference first-round series 1-0.

“We did a really good job messing up their systems and didn’t give them too much flow,” said Rinne, who recorded his second NHL postseason shutout. “They like to play with a lot of speed and puck possession, and we did the right things on the ice. I think that’s a credit for us to interrupt their style of play.”

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be held Saturday night at 8 pm EST in Chicago.

The previous two times the Blackhawks and Predators faced off in the postseason, (2010, 2015) the former eliminated the latter in the first round.

Chicago outshot Nashville 29-20, including 23-9 in the last two periods.

Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane combined for just 10 shots on goal for the Blackhawks, while Jonathan Toews didn’t record a single shot on goal in 20:38 of ice time.

Corey Crawford made 19 saves for the Blackhawks, who were shut out in a home playoff game for the first time since 2012. Meanwhile, it was the Predators’ first road shutout in their nine-year postseason history.

“We’ve just got to keep getting better in this series,” Crawford said. “That was a pretty good game by us, but we have better in us.”

Arvidsson’s goal came off a defensive error from Chicago. Predators centre Ryan Johansen took the puck from Arvidsson and drew three defensemen to him before passing to Filip Forsberg, who passed to Arvidsson.

“I figured Ryan would put it over there [to Forsberg],” Arvidsson said. “I just tried to get lost behind them, and [Forsberg] made a great shot-pass. I just tapped it in.”

Rinne made a sprawling left-skate save against Artem Anisimov with 8:15 left in the second period to stop the Blackhawks from tying the game. Anisimov returned after missing the last 13 games of the regular season with a lower-body injury, while Predaotrs forward Calle Jarnkrok came back from his own lower-body injury after missing the regular-season finale. Nashville forward Colin Wilson (lower body) missed his third consecutive game.

In Washington, meanwhile, Tom Wilson scored 5:15 into overtime to lift the Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.

The Capitals now lead the Eastern Conference first-round series 1-0.

“Lots of emotion,” Wilson said. “Obviously, pretty crazy. Once the puck goes in, it’s a whirlwind. Got to watch it briefly on an interview. You know what? It’s a good feeling. Hopefully we keep building those good feelings and keep it rolling here.”

The winger knocked the puck down with his hand to keep it in the zone on a clearing attempt by the Leafs, and then shot past goalie Frederik Andersen for his first goal in 29 playoff games. Wilson is also the first Capitals player to net his first postseason goal in overtime.

Toronto gained a 2-0 lead 9:44 into the game thanks to goals from Mithcell Marner (at 1:35 of the first period of his first-ever playoff game) and Jake Gardiner. However, Washington tied it with two goals from Justin Williams.

“Everything’s about momentum,” Williams said. “They certainly had it to start, and we kind of calmed down, settled the nerves and we did what we wanted to do: Come back from (down) two goals, and now you keep the pressure on.”

Williams’ first goal came on a power play at 12:24 of the first period, and then his second tied it 2-2 with 4:00 remaining in the middle period. On his second goal, Williams got a puck loose in the crease and scored through Andersen’s legs.

Gardiner’s goal was initially waved off for goaltender interference, although the call was reversed following a coach’s challenge from the Maple Leafs.

“A confidence-builder, for sure,” Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. “I liked our game. I didn’t like that we wouldn’t shoot the puck. We had so many opportunities to shoot and we wouldn’t, we wanted to pass. I thought Wilson did a good job of doing that, you just throw it on net. That’s playoff hockey. Things bounce to somebody and it goes in.”

Andersen stopped 41 shots, while Capitals goalie Braden Hotlby made 35 saves.

Wilson’s goal came after he intercepted Martin Marincin’s clear from near the end boards five minutes into overtime. Wilson then shot past defenseman Morgan Rielly and over Andersen’s shoulder from the right face-off circle to seal the victory.

Andersen made two great saves in succession in overtime: he fell to the ice to block Brooks Orpik’s shot, and then denied Andre Burakovsky with his toe.

Capitals defenseman John Carlson played 19:27 after missing the last four games of the regular season.

The Capitals and Leafs face off again for the second game of the series at 7 pm EST on Saturday at Verizon Center.

Finally, the Ducks beat Calgary 3-2 in Anaheim on Thursday for their 28th straight win over the Flames at Honda Center, including an NHL-record 25 straight regular-season games against Calgary.

Anhaeim now lead the Western Conference first-round series 1-0. The Ducks and Flames will meet for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series in Anaheim at 10:30 pm EST on Saturday.

Anaheim Ducks center Antoine Vermette was ejected from his team’s 1-0 road victory against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night for an abuse of an official.

Ducks Center Antoine Vermette Ejected, Suspended 10 Games For Slashing Official

Vermette, 34, slashed lineman Shandor Alphonso in the leg after losing a face-off at 7:33 of the third period to draw a 10-minute penalty for game misconduct.

It’s not completely clear how severe the slashing was from the video, although it was noticeable enough for officials to toss Vermette from the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zN-V-hZ_x8

The Canadian star could face further punishment.

According to NHL Rule 40.3, deliberately applying physical force to an official in any way results in an automatic 10-game suspension.

Per TSN’s Bob McKenzie, this ban has already been handed down to Vermette, while Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist is attending a hearing for hitting Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon in the face with his stick earlier this week. McKenzie added that Vermette could appeal his suspension, which would be given by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Anthony DeAngelo of the Arizona Coyotes already received a three-game suspension earlier this season for abuse of an official.

Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman was suspended 20 games for the same reason last season, after cross-checking a referee on his way back to the bench. Wideman’s suspension was later reduced to 10 games through an appeal.

In his first season with the Ducks, Vermette has eight goals and 14 assists in 57 games. The 13th-year NHL veteran was a critical member of the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2015 playoff run.

The Ducks next host the Florida Panthers on Friday.

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 16: Antoine Vermette #50 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on October 16, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Ducks 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Following an offseason rife with contract negotiations and surgery, Rickard Rakell returned to the Anaheim Ducks’ lineup just in time for a rivalry game.

Rickard Rakell, John Gibson Lead Ducks To 4-0 Win Over Kings

Rakell had a goal and two assists in his season debut, and goalie John Gibson made 30 saves to earn his seventh career shutout in the Ducks’ 4-0 road victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night.

After playing the best season of his career with 43 points last year, Rakell missed training camp and the first nine regular-season games while holding out for a new contract and recovering from surgery related to appendicitis. The 23-year-old Swedish center agreed to a six-year, $22.8 million deal on Oct. 14.

“I’m just trying to find the timing and everything,” said Rakell, who scored more points than he managed in his first 10 games combined last season. “I think I just was in the right place at the right time today. Of course, it gives you confidence to be able to build off this.”

The Kings have been shut out in three straight games for the first time since Jan. 1-7, 1969. They have not scored since Jeff Carter’s overtime goal in a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 27.

Antoine Vermette, Ryan Kesler, and Joseph Cramarossa also scored for the Ducks. Vermette scored his first goal with Anaheim, and Cramarossa scored his first NHL goal.

Kings goalie Peter Budaj lost his third consecutive game and was relieved by rookie Jack Campbell for the third period.

Rakell scored on a snap shot from the left face-off circle that flew through Budaj’s five-hole with 31 seconds remaining in the first to open scoring. Kesler tied up Nic Dowd on the draw and kicked the puck to Rakell to set up the shot.

The Ducks scored twice in 31 seconds during defenseman Jake Muzzin’s double minor for high-sticking against Cramarossa in the second period. Rakell set up Vermette from behind the net for a one-timer to make it 2-0 at 2:49, and Kesler made it 3-0 at 3:20.

Anaheim left wing Nick Ritchie exited the game following a hit by defenseman Tom Gilbert in the second period. Coach Randy Carlyle did not provide an update.

One of Gibson’s best saves was a glove save on Dustin Brown’s shot that came with 5:05 remaining in the second period. Brown fired a wrist shot from the left side, and Gibson slid over.

Cramarossa scored on a wraparound attempt that went in off Dowd and Kings defenseman Alex Martinez at 10:46 of the second period. Cramarossa’s chance came after Martinez’s errant pass to Dowd.

Defenseman Cam Fowler also made a big stop for Anaheim late in the second period, when he prevented Kings center Anze Kopitar from getting the puck by sweeping it away from the crease.

A massive, all-out fight also broke out midway through the third period. The brawl began when the Kings’ Jordan Nolan punched Getzlaf, who angrily responded with a blow of his own before the officials desperately began to break it up. Nolan eventually served a penalty.

Ryan Getzlaf is three assists from tying Teemu Selanne as the all-time Ducks leader (531).

The Ducks (4-4-2) will next host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, while the Kings (4-6-0) will next host the Penguins on Thursday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckulqw9BCBE

GLENDALE, AZ – MARCH 03: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 3, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Ducks defeated the Coyotes 5-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Taylor Hall scored two power-play goals in the second period to lead the New Jersey Devils to their first victory of the season, a 2-1 home win over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.

Taylor Hall Scores Twice In Devils’ 2-1 Win Over Ducks

The left wing, acquired by the Devils in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Adam Larsson in June, earned his first two points with the Devils in the team’s home opener. Hall’s goals came within 4:11 of each other.

“It’s fun to not only get the first win, but to get our power play going,” Hall said. “The energy in the rink was great. Everyone was in red and every chance they got, they were on their feet.

“As a player sometimes you don’t feel 100 percent and sometimes it’s not clicking out there, and the crowd can get you into it; sometimes you rely on that at home.”

The Ducks were hit by four straight penalties in the second period, thus sparking New Jersey’s offensive explosion, during which they outshot Anaheim 12-4. The Devils, who entered the game 0-for-6 on the power play, finished 2-for-7 against the Ducks.

Cory Schneider made 23 saves and forced Anaheim’s Chris Wagner to lose control of the puck on a second-period penalty shot. Wagner was given the shot after being hooked from behind by Adam Henrique on a break-away with the Devils on a power play.

Defenseman Sami Vatanen opened scoring at 9:03 in the first period for the Ducks– who played short-handed seven times– while goalie John Gibson had 26 saves. Vatanen’s goal came after the Ducks didn’t let the Devils clear the puck out of their zone after Kyle Palmieri was called for tripping at 7:15.

“There’s a lot of hockey left but we’ve dug ourselves a bit of a hole,” Gibson said. “Obviously we all care in here and want to turn it around but it’s got to come from within.”

Hall tied the game 1-1 at 12:35 of the second period when he scored off a rebound. Michael Cammalleri took the initial shot but the puck deflected to Hall in the right circle, and he scored just inside the right post past Gibson.

Hall’s second goal came on a great deflection of a point shot from defenseman Damon Severson at 16:41. Gibson never stood a chance.

“The thing we’re most proud of right now is not that he scored two goals, but the work ethic and buy-in he’s had since he’s gotten here; it’s been fantastic,” Devils coach John Hynes said. “If he continues that, he’ll continue to have success for us.”

The Devils were 0 for 5 on the power play in their first two games in Florida against the Panthers and Lightning.

Devils rookie defenseman Johann Auvitu lost a clear, game-tying goal early in the second period when Reid Boucher was called for a high stick against defenseman Kevin Bieska seconds before the puck went in the net.

Schneider has not allowed a goal on the last five penalty shots he’s faced dating back to last season. He has stopped 13 of 15 over the course of his NHL career.

Devils forward Vernon Fiddler engaged in a fight with Ryan Kesler 30 seconds after the opening face-off.

The Ducks (0-3-1) will next visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, while the Devils (1-1-1) will visit the Boston Bruins that same day.

NEWARK, NJ – OCTOBER 18: Taylor Hall #9 of the New Jersey Devils moves the puck around Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at the Prudential Center on October 18, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Despite throwing everything they had at the Nashville Predators over the final 40 minutes, the Anaheim Ducks suffered a staggering 2-1 home loss on Wednesday in Game 7 of a Western-Conference first-round playoff series.

Ducks Fall To Predators 2-1 In Fourth Straight Game 7 Home Loss

“It’s hard to swallow right now,” said right winger Corey Perry, the Ducks’ leading scorer who was held goal-loss in the entire seven-game series against the Predators.  Perry appeared to need a few moments to collect himself at the Ducks bench before heading to the locker room.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Ducks lost a Game 7 at the Honda Center.

“It’s four years in a row,” Perry said. “A lot of guys in here that we’re playing hard for. It’s too bad we couldn’t get it done.”

After trailing 2-0 at the end of two periods, Ryan Kesler re-ignited the arena with a power-play goal just 1 minute 45 seconds into the third to pull the Ducks within 2-1.

Anaheim Coach Bruce Boudreau reunited Perry and Ryan Getzlaf midway through the second period. However, the Ducks continued to suffer miss after mishap. Jamie McGinn hit the crossbar on a wide-open look, while Jakob Silfverberg broke his stick on a three-on-two chance. Hampus Lindholm also took a shot that bounced off the post in the third.

Boudreau, who is now 1-7 in Game 7s, was asked after the game if this was was the hardest of the last four Game 7 losses with the Ducks.

“With the way the score was, and the way we were pushing, I’d say yes,” Boudreau said. “Especially since how hard we had to push from November on, just to get to where we were. We did everything the hard way. We thought in the third period, we could still tie it up. And it just wasn’t to be.”

The Ducks were unable to capitalize after they killed a Nashville two-man advantage and subsequent 4-on3 after two penalties in the first period.

Colin Wilson opened up scoring for the Predators with an unassisted goal just 6:19 into the game by working the puck around from the left circle following a Ducks turnover from defenseman Simon Despres  Paul Gaustad then gave Nashville a 2-0 lead by tipping Shea Weber’s shot from the right point with 4:07 left in the first period.

The Predators, who won the first-round series 4-3, will now advance to the second round to face off against the San Jose Sharks.

“Obviously there will be changes,” Kesler said. “There always is. It’s tough to see teammates go.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Db7AI2K3OQ

ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 27: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks skates past Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators during the first period of Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center on April 27, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Washington Capitals 2-0 at the Verizon Center in D.C. on Sunday night, capturing the Pacific division title.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Finalized After Ducks, Flyers Victories

The Capitals started Philip Grubauer in net, and Alex Ovechkin was a scratch.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the New York Islanders 5-2 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, keeping the New York Rangers in third place in the Metropolitan division.

The Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning will kick off the Eastern Conference playoffs on Wednesday, April 13 at 7 pm, followed by the Rangers and the Penguins at 8 pm.

The Islanders will now face the Florida Panthers, while the Flyers will play the Capitals.

The Chicago Blackhawks face off against the St. Louis Blues at 9:30 pm Wednesday for the Western Conference.

The final three match-ups for the Western Conference are the Minnesota Wild vs the Dallas Stars, the Ducks vs the Nashville Predators, and the San Jose Sharks vs the Los Angeles Kings.

Several questions remain as we enter this year’s playoffs: Will Chicago repeat history and win the Stanley Cup? Will the Eastern Conference overthrow the Western Conference for the first time since the Boston Bruins’ 2011 win? Will the Ducks drown in Chicago again?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVd-8Ysx7mg

Caption:NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 10: Nick Cousins #52 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on April 10, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Flyers defeated the Islanders 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Veteran Anaheim Ducks forward Shawn Horcoff, 37, has now become the fourth NHL player to be suspended by the league for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Ducks’ Horcoff Suspended 20 Games For PeDs

On Tuesday, the NHL announced that the former All-Star has been suspended for 20 games due to a violation of the drug program administered by the league and the NHL Players’ Association.

“While recovering from an injury I suffered this past fall, I tried a treatment that I believed would help speed up the healing process,“ Horcoff said in a statement released by the Ducks. “Although I was unaware that this treatment was not permitted under NHL rules, that is no excuse whatsoever. I should have done my research … I accept full responsibility for my actions and I am sorry.”

The substance that Horcoff tested positive for was not identified in the league’s statement announcing the suspension. As a result of the violation, Horcoff has been automatically placed in the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for possible treatment.

Horcoff was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers and spent 12 years with the team until he was traded to the Dallas Stars just before the 2013-2014 season. This is his first season with the Ducks. Throughout his 12-season NHL career, Horcoff has racked up 162 goals and 285 assists (447 points). While serving the ban, he forfeits  $357,526 in salary.

Sean Hill (2007), Zenon Konopka (2014) and Carter Ashton (2014) were the other three players to receive 20-game bans for violating the NHL’s PED policy.

PHOTO: NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 22: Shawn Horcoff #22 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 22, 2015 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Ducks 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

If you grew up in the 90s, then you were treated to a myriad of kid sports films. And while there were plenty of classics like the Little Giants, nothing beat the original Mighty Ducks trilogy. Of course, they are dated by today’s standards, but they are thoroughly watchable in a nostalgic way.

Emilio Estevez & Anaheim Ducks

And yesterday, actor Emilio Estevez, better known as Coach Bombay, channeled the famous character while rooting for the Anaheim Ducks during game five against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Basically, he live tweeted the game, dropping famous phrases from the trilogy.

https://twitter.com/EMILIOTHEWAY/status/602988559159566336

https://twitter.com/EMILIOTHEWAY/status/603009174268588032

https://twitter.com/EMILIOTHEWAY/status/603017343879356416

https://twitter.com/EMILIOTHEWAY/status/603034053147635712

https://twitter.com/EMILIOTHEWAY/status/603041817181847552

https://twitter.com/EMILIOTHEWAY/status/603045763057201153

https://twitter.com/EMILIOTHEWAY/status/603049443097583616

In the end, I guess ducks, fictional or not, truly fly together. Anaheim won 5-4 in overtime, taking a 3-2 series lead.

As for Coach Bombay, lets hope that a fourth Mighty Ducks film is in the works.

Lets be quite frank, the craziness of the NHL Playoffs, on and off-the-ice, does not surprise me anymore. That is why this Winnipeg Jets fan dumping a beer on his head, while on national television, is very par for the course. Hockey fans are a crazy bunch, especially in Canada.

Unfortunately, after all that excitement and wet clothes, the Jets lost to the Anaheim Ducks 5-4 in overtime.

Between the fans being rabid, the entertaining games and intense rivalries, the NHL playoffs are the best two months of the year — and this fan, who will be disappointed in the next few days, is a prime example of why.

h/t: Twitter