Ducks’ John Gibson blanks Vegas for 3rd shutout of season

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  • Ducks left wing Max Comtois (53) is congratulated as he returns to the bench after scoring during the third period of Thursday’s game against the Golden Knights in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Zach Whitecloud #2 of the Vegas Golden Knights dives head first to knock the puck away from Derek Grant #38 of the Anaheim Ducks in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights defends the net against Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: David Backes #21 of the Anaheim Ducks skates with the puck against Nicolas Hague #14 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks skates with the puck against Jonathan Marchessault #81 and Reilly Smith #19 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a save as William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights looks for a rebound in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Jani Hakanpaa #28 of the Anaheim Ducks and Cody Glass #9 of the Vegas Golden Knights battle for the puck as John Gibson #36 of the Ducks defends the net in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Chandler Stephenson #20 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Max Jones #49 of the Anaheim Ducks battle for the puck in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck against the under pressure from Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: William Carrier #28 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck against Derek Grant #38 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grant received a two-minute minor penalty for holding on the play. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights makes a save against Isac Lundestrom #48 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights makes a save against Isac Lundestrom #48 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights makes a save against Isac Lundestrom #48 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights makes a save against Isac Lundestrom (R) #48 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights makes a save against Isac Lundestrom (R) #48 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Max Comtois #53 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts after scoring a third-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks passes against Alec Martinez #23 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rakell’s pass went to teammate Max Comtois #53 who scored on the play and the Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Carter Rowney #24 of the Anaheim Ducks takes a shot against Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Carter Rowney #24 of the Anaheim Ducks tries to control the puck ahead of Nick Holden #22 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Dylan Coghlan (52) and Anaheim Ducks right wing David Backes (21) vie for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) attempts a shot on Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • A puck shot by the Anaheim Ducks hits the post without going in the goal against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez (23) tries to knock the puck away from Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique (14) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Ducks goaltender John Gibson blocks a shot by the Golden Knights during the first period of Thursday’s game in Las Vegas. Gibson made 21 saves for his third 1-0 shutout this season. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks center Isac Lundestrom (48) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Larsson (32) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) blocks a shot beside Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Anaheim Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) and Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Anaheim Ducks’ Derek Grant (38), Vegas Golden Knights’ William Carrier (28) and Hampus Lindholm vie for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Carter Rowney #24 of the Anaheim Ducks takes a shot against Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights as Alex Pietrangelo #7 of the Golden Knights defends in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • Vegas Golden Knights left wing William Carrier (28) gets hit in the face with a stick against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Max Comtois #53 of the Anaheim Ducks skates with the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • Anaheim Ducks center Isac Lundestrom (48) celebrates after left wing Max Comtois scored against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • The Anaheim Ducks celebrate a third- period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights by Max Comtois #53 during their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks clears the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Golden Knights 1-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: John Gibson #36, Jani Hakanpaa #28 and Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate on the ice after the team’s 1-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on February 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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The Vegas Golden Knights shined brighter than usual Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena. Playing in helmets befitting their name, the Golden Knights weren’t shiny enough to win, though. The Ducks capitalized on a late-game bolt of lightning to take a 1-0 victory.

Max Comtois gave the Ducks the lead 12:18 into the third period, smacking home a pass from Rickard Rakell from behind the net for his team-leading sixth goal. Cam Fowler also assisted, keeping the puck in the attacking zone at the left point and sending it around the boards to Rakell.

Four of Comtois’ goals this season have come against the West Division-leading Golden Knights (8-2-1).

John Gibson made 21 saves for his third 1-0 shutout this season. Instead of scrambling from start to finish, as in past games against the Golden Knights, Gibson played a relatively pressure-free game as the fourth-place Ducks (6-6-3) were the far more aggressive team with the puck.

“I’ve always thought, and this was way before I became the coach here, John Gibson is not recognized enough by the rest of our league,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “He’s a top, top goaltender. When we needed him tonight, he showed that very well.”

The Ducks were in a similar position against Vegas in the second game of the season, back on Jan. 16 at T-Mobile Arena, when they led 1-0 until they gave up the lead in the closing minutes and then lost, 2-1, on Max Pacioretty’s goal in the opening seconds of overtime.

There was no repeat of the Ducks’ earlier collapse. They’re a far different team now than then. Their increased confidence and poise carried them when things got sticky in the third period, and they handed the Golden Knights their first loss in regulation in nine home games.

“We wanted to make sure we weren’t just weathering storms,” Gibson said of the Ducks’ game plan going into Thursday’s game after they lost a 5-4 decision to Vegas two nights earlier. “We could try to take the game to them in spurts and make sure we weren’t sitting on our heels.”

Gibson returned to the Ducks’ net after he was sidelined Tuesday by a cut on his face that required stitches after a practice collision Monday at Honda Center. He also didn’t play in the Ducks’ shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, taking a well-deserved night off.

Ryan Miller started both games for the Ducks.

Unlike the first period Tuesday, when they trailed 2-0 en route to a 3-0 deficit by the early minutes of the second, the Ducks were determined to dictate the terms of the rematch. They swarmed Marc-Andre Fleury’s net and created havoc in front of him almost from the opening faceoff.

Rakell nearly put the Ducks ahead 1-0 but shoveled a try from close range wide of the mark. Troy Terry nearly broke the scoreless deadlock moments later, but he chipped a shot off the goal post. The Ducks’ best first-period chances didn’t count as shots on goal, but they still led 13-4.

In the second period, Isac Lundestrom had Fleury down and seemingly out of position on a point-blank try. Somehow, a scrambling Fleury managed to keep the puck from crossing the goal line and the game remained scoreless heading into the third.

Comtois and Fleury shared a chuckle after some words in their native French. Fleury wasn’t laughing in the third, though, after Comtois found an open patch of ice, accepted a pass from Rakell and beat the goalie from near the right goal post.

“We have nothing to lose,” Comtois said of the Ducks’ uptick in play. “I don’t think anybody sees us on top of the league. We have to look at the video and copy and paste what we did best. This is a total team effort, starting from the goalie and the back end to the forwards.

“We beat one of the best teams in the league and we’ve got to feel good about that.”

Vegas played without forward Tomas Nosek, who was pulled from Tuesday’s game because of a positive COVID-19 test, which cast some doubt on whether Thursday’s game would be played. Contact tracing was started and both teams underwent additional testing before the game.

Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo returned to the lineup after an extended stay on the league’s COVID-19 inactive list. Shea Theodore sat out after he was forced from Tuesday’s game following an open-ice collision with the Ducks’ Nicolas Deslauriers in the first period.

Gibby gets his third shutout of the season + @AlysonLozoff gets him to smile = one good Thursday night ?#FlyTogether I @AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/7mAkOI8Oxw

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) February 12, 2021

?LIGHT. THAT. LAMP. MAX COMTOIS?#FlyTogether I @AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/OAFtpeWwLk

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) February 12, 2021

Coach Dallas Eakins on everything that went well in tonight’s win#FlyTogether I @AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/LqBtf6f0Sn

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) February 12, 2021

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