Turning Point: Max Comtois late goal keys Ducks

Anaheim’s Max Comtois has eight points this season, six of them coming from goals.

Four of those goals have come against the Vegas Golden Knights, including Thursday’s lone goal in the teams’ fourth meeting of the season, a much-needed 1-0 win by the Ducks.

Comtois’ one-time snapper to the far side, just past Marc-Andre Fleury was easily the turning point, as it gave Anaheim a boost to finish the game with the same aggressiveness that kept Vegas on its heels the entire game.

“We saw tonight when we play our game, when we’re strong on puck, we go on the forecheck, we press their D – we spend most of the game in the O zone,” Comtois said. “We didn’t give them much on the rush, which is their strength. … We found a way to get that late goal and we shut them down after.”

With just less than 8 minutes remaining, Kevin Shattenkirk sent the puck from the defensive zone down ice, off Comtois’ stick and into the offensive zone. Staying heavy on the forecheck, Cam Fowler gathered the puck at the blue line and sent it around the boards to Rickard Rakell behind the net

Rakell gave Comtois just enough time to find a soft spot to the right of the goal. Skating to the right of Fleury, Comtois lifted his wrist shot over Fleury’s arm, stick side.

“The goalies are super good in this league,” Comtois said. “As long as I shoot quick I have a chance to beat them and I did it tonight.”

Comtois said he grew up watching Pittsburgh, which was his favorite team, and meant he was always watching Fleury.

“I’m trying to find soft spots on the ice where I can use my shot and surprise goalies and I did it again,” Comtois said. “He’s such a good goaltender of Fleury. We beat one of the best teams in the league right now.”