Stanley Cup-winning defenseman Christian Djoos did not have a roster spot in defensively-challenged Washington, but in Anaheim, he’s having a career renaissance. The longtime Capital, who spent the vast majority of the 2019-20 season with AHL Hershey, was traded to the Anaheim Ducks at the February 24 trade deadline for journeyman forward Daniel Sprong.
Sunday night at Honda Center, Djoos scored his first goal for the Ducks, a clutch late-game tally that forced overtime while the Ducks had their goalie, Ryan Miller, pulled.
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Djoos scored with 1:42 remaining in the third period. The Ducks defenseman pinched down to the left dot and fired a one-timer past Devan Dubnyk after being found wide open by Jakob Silfverberg.
That's just beautiful hockey.#LetsGoDucks pic.twitter.com/Jxhes89oup
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 9, 2020
The Djoos is indeed re-loose.
THE DJOOS IS LOOSE! His first goal as a Duck.
We are tied 4-4 pic.twitter.com/OtXn6p65ML
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 9, 2020
To overtime we go at Honda Center. In other developments … pic.twitter.com/qbW7CEfDft
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 9, 2020
The Ducks would go on to lose 5-4 after Wild forward Kevin Fiala scored in overtime – his second of the game.
Djoos led all Ducks defensemen in ice time with 24:17, including 4:55 on the powerplay.
Over his last five games in Anaheim, Djoos has received over 20 minutes of ice time in every game, including a season high 25:52 against the Colorado Avalanche on March 4. Djoos has been skating on the third pairing with Finish defensemen Jani Hakanpää.
Ducks warm-up lines and pairings. As noted in this most recent piece, Josh Manson back in. https://t.co/PVYyekokcB
Milano-Getzlaf-Heinen
Rakell-Henrique-Silfverberg
Jones-Steel-Sherwood
Deslauriers-Backes-RowneyIrwin-Manson
Larsson-Del Zotto
Djoos-Hakanpaa— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 9, 2020
During his two games in DC, Djoos received 12 and 5 minutes of ice time respectively.
Headline photo courtesy of FOX Sports West
