Bruins-Ducks 3 Stars: Frederik Andersen Makes 32 Saves In 3-2 Anaheim Win

The Boston Bruins probably deserved a point for their efforts Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks, but they left the Honda Center with a 3-2 regulation loss.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Bruins (14-10-1) as they make the short trip to Los Angeles for a Tuesday night matchup with the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings.

Here are the “3 Stars” from Bruins-Ducks:

No. 3 Star: Sami Vatanen, Defenseman, Anaheim Ducks
Vatanen scored his sixth goal of the season at 11:17 of the second period. He was able to capitalize on a rebound after Patrick Maroon fired a shot on net from the left faceoff circle.

[tweet https://twitter.com/gregbeacham/status/539636267240407041 align=”center”]

Vatanen finished with two shots, five blocked shots and a plus-3 Corsi at even strength in 20:55 of ice time (3:18 of power play and 2:35 of short-handed ice time). He ranks third in the NHL in scoring among defensemen with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 26 games.

No. 2 Star: Matt Beleskey, Left Winger, Anaheim Ducks
Beleskey’s impressive goal scoring run continued, as he scored the eventual game-winner in the third period after a clean attacking-zone faceoff win by Ryan Getzlaf. Beleskey unleashed a powerful shot that beat Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask for his 12th goal of the season — six more than any Bruins player.

Beleskey also was a quality puck possession player with a plus-7 Corsi at even strength.

No. 1 Star: Frederik Andersen, Goaltender, Anaheim Ducks
Andersen made 32 saves on 34 shots for a .941 save percentage, which included 28 stops over the first two periods when Boston was controlling puck possession.

The Ducks netminder’s best save came in the second period after a power play. Bruins defenseman Joe Morrow exited the penalty box, took possession of the puck and skated into the attacking zone on a breakaway. He made a fantastic move, but his shot was saved by Andersen.

Andersen now is 11-4-4 with a .917 save percentage and a 2.35 goals against average in 19 starts.

GIF via Twitter/@MyRegularFace

Thumbnail photo via Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports Images