Getzlaf giveaway leads to Ducks’ overtime loss

The red, exhausted face of Ryan Kesler was contrasted by the exasperated look of Ryan Getzlaf in the Ducks’ dressing room.

Kesler played one of his best games of the season Monday, scoring his first goal and putting forth a tireless effort in trying to extend the Ducks’ four-game winning streak.

It was undone by an inexplicable drop pass by Getzlaf that led to a game-winning overtime goal by Mikkel Boedker, who scored on a breakaway to give the Arizona Coyotes a 4-3 victory at Honda Center.

Getzlaf made a between-the-legs pass during three-on-three play that Boedker easily picked up and converted. The Ducks captain was visibly seething and, when told later that he looked like he wanted to break something, said, “I still do.”

The play was indicative of an off night by the top line of Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Patrick Maroon, who combined for one shot. It negated a strong game by the second line of Kesler, Carl Hagelin and Jakob Silfverberg.

“For whatever reason we seemed little out of sync tonight, as a line, as a unit,” Getzlaf said. “That was another example of it. I thought Pears was coming inside. He went outside. That was the case all night.”

Kesler was stopped by Arizona goalie Anders Lindback in close and drew a penalty in the waning minutes of regulation. His effort wasn’t fully rewarded.

“I’ve been feeling like myself for a while, I just haven’t had puck luck,” Kesler said. “I’ve had chances, but it just hasn’t gone in for me. It’s nice to get one, but I’d rather have the two points.”

Sami Vatanen shook the building alive with a finish of a give-and-go with Andrew Cogliano to tie the score at 3-3 with 8:17 to play. That came after the Ducks had squandered a 2-0 lead with another poor second period.

Arizona rookies Max Domi and Anthony Duclair, who combined for all the scoring in a 4-0 win against the Ducks last month, struck again. Domi scored twice in 3:55 to give the Coyotes a 3-2 lead. Duclair followed up his hat trick against the Ducks last month with a power-play goal. It was a rare breakdown by the Ducks’ top-ranked penalty killing unit against Arizona’s league-worst power play, but it wasn’t surprising given the Ducks’ second-period woes.

The Ducks have been outscored 21-5 in the second period this season.

Kesler’s goal came on a deft tip of Vatanen’s shot that banked in off the right post. It came in his 15th game, his longest drought to start a season in his 12-year career.

Unfortunately for the Ducks, the lasting image was Getzlaf’s pained expression.

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau called the loss “disheartening” and was blunt about Getzlaf’s line.

“They weren’t very good,” Boudreau said. “You can call it what you want. Your best players got to be your best players if you want to win.”

Getzlaf and Kesler said three-on-three is still a different animal but Getzlaf also said, “Well, a drop pass to their guy is never going to work.”

Said Boudreau: “You don’t drop pass to nobody. You don’t do it.”

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