The Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf, left, works with the puck as the Blues’ Jake Walman defends during the first period of Monday’s game in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
The Ducks’ Isac Lundestrom, right, and the Blues’ Vladimir Tarasenko battle for control of the puck during the first period of Monday’s game at Enterprise Center in St Louis. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Tyler Bozak #21 of the St. Louis Blues shoots the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of Monday’s game at Enterprise Center in St Louis. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk, right, and goaltender John Gibson defend against the Blues’ Zach Sanford during the first period of Monday’s game at Enterprise Center in St Louis. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Ryan OReilly #90 of the St. Louis Blues shoots the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of Monday’s game at Enterprise Center in St Louis. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the St. Louis Blues and Isac Lundestrom #48 of the Anaheim Ducks fight for control of the puck during the first period of Monday’s game at Enterprise Center in St Louis. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Colton Parayko #55 of the St. Louis Blues controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of Monday’s game at Enterprise Center in St Louis. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
St. Louis Blues’ Jake Walman (46) defends against Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf (15) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Zach Sanford #12 of the St. Louis Blues falls to the ice while handling the puck against Danton Heinen #43 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of Monday’s game at Enterprise Center in St Louis. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Anaheim Ducks’ Trevor Zegras (46) battles St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko (55) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of Monday’s game at Enterprise Center in St Louis. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Anaheim Ducks’ Sam Carrick (39) battles St. Louis Blues’ Niko Mikkola (77) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko (55) checks Anaheim Ducks’ Max Comtois (53) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Anaheim Ducks’ Trevor Zegras (46), center, is defended by St. Louis Blues’ Justin Faulk (72) and Jaden Schwartz (17) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Anaheim Ducks’ Isac Lundestrom (48) falls to the ice while battling St. Louis Blues’ Justin Faulk (72) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Blues’ Niko Mikkola (77) and Anaheim Ducks’ Troy Terry (61) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Anaheim Ducks’ Jacob Larsson (32) gets a penalty for slashing St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas (18) during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Anaheim Ducks’ Simon Benoit (86) and St. Louis Blues’ Tyler Bozak (21) battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Anaheim Ducks John Gibson (36) and Jacob Larsson (32) defend the net against St. Louis Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly (90), center, during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Blues’ Brayden Schenn (10) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks shoots the puck for a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Anaheim Ducks Ryan Getzlaf (15) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Anaheim Ducks’ Isac Lundestrom (48) defends against St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Kyrou (25) during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Isac Lundestrom #48 of the Anaheim Ducks controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues defends the goal against Max Comtois #53 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Derek Grant #38 of the Anaheim Ducks controls the puck against Marco Scandella #6 of the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Justin Faulk #72 of the St. Louis Blues controls the puck against Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Jordan Binnington #50 and Niko Mikkola #77 of the St. Louis Blues defend the goal against Troy Terry #61 of the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Jaden Schwartz #17 of the St. Louis Blues fights Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks for control of the puck in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Ryan OReilly #90 of the St. Louis Blues is congratulated by his teammates after scoring his 600th-career point in a game against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Jordan Kyrou #25 of the St. Louis Blues controls the puck against Josh Mahura #76 of the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues shoots the puck against Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Jordan Kyrou #25 of the St. Louis Blues looks to shoot the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Max Comtois #53 of the Anaheim Ducks defends an empty goal against Jaden Schwartz #17 of the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a save against the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks jumps over Jaden Schwartz #17 of the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a save against the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Brayden Schenn #10 and Ryan OReilly #90 of the St. Louis Blues fight Jacob Larsson #32 of the Anaheim Ducks for control of the puck in the first period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Robert Bortuzzo #41 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates after scoring his first goal of the season in a game against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Robert Bortuzzo #41 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates after scoring his first goal of the season in a game against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Robert Bortuzzo #41 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates after scoring his first goal of the season in a game against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
St. Louis Blues’ Robert Bortuzzo (41) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Ryan OReilly #90 of the St. Louis Blues asks an official for the puck after scoring his 600th-career point in a game against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Ivan Barbashev #49 of the St. Louis Blues shoots the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 03: Justin Faulk #72 of the St. Louis Blues shoots the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Enterprise Center on May 3, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Anaheim Ducks’ Isac Lundestrom (48) battles St. Louis Blues’ Robert Bortuzzo (41) for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly (90) battles Anaheim Ducks’ Troy Terry (61) for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Kyrou (25) pressures Anaheim Ducks’ Rickard Rakell (67) during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Blues’ Marco Scandella (6) checks Anaheim Ducks’ Troy Terry (61) during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Blues’ Jake Walman (46) defends against Anaheim Ducks’ Max Jones (49) during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington (50) and Tyler Bozak (21) celebrate their victory over the Anaheim Ducks after the third period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, May 3, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Ryan Getzlaf made two plays, two very different plays, that stood out in the Ducks’ 3-1 loss to the Blues on Monday night at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, each proving the 35-year-old captain still has something to give his teammates as his 16th season in the NHL winds to a close.
First, he pounced on a Blues turnover in their own end of the ice and, finding himself all alone in front of Jordan Binnington’s net, he sent a laser past him for the tying goal, only 25 seconds after St. Louis had taken a 1-0 lead.
Second, he chased down Jaden Schwartz of the Blues, denying him an empty-net goal in the closing moments of the game, leaping past the St. Louis player and then tumbling to the ice and crashing into the boards.
Getzlaf’s future remains to be determined, as he reminded reporters Monday. His eight-season, $66 million contract comes to an end when the Ducks’ season ends Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota. He said he would think about what comes next for him during the offseason.
“I think I’ve made it pretty clear over the past year or so that being a part of a rebuild was something I was comfortable with,” Getzlaf said. “I’m trying to help this team any way I can. I’m going to continue to do that the rest of the way. As I’ve said all along, this summer, we’ll address the situation and talk to Bob (Murray, the Ducks’ general manager,) and ownership and make sure we’re pulling the same way.”
As for the present, Getzlaf can continue to provide leadership and mentorship to his youngest and least-experienced teammates, as he did by scoring the Ducks’ lone goal and then displaying some hustle and grit when the game was still in doubt.
“It’s critical,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “When you see your leaders doing that, and the second effort, it rubs off on everyone. It’s equal the other way. When we see our young guys bring so much energy, it brings energy to our older guys.
“It’s kind of the yin and the yang going back and forth. Ryan’s effort at the end gave us another chance to score. It’s important for everybody to bring energy, have second efforts, and Ryan’s always going to lead the way in that department.”
Near the end, with the Ducks in search of a tying goal, Eakins had mostly youngsters on the ice along with veterans Getzlaf and Kevin Shattenkirk. They failed to produce the tying score and Ryan O’Reilly sealed it with an empty-net goal with nine seconds left.
Robert Bortuzzo’s first goal of the season broke a 1-1 tie 2:13 into the third period. Brayden Schenn gave the Blues a 1-0 lead at 5:52 of the second. Getzlaf countered at 6:17, for his 982nd career point, six shy of Teemu Selanne’s franchise record for his career.
The Ducks misfired on a third-period power play, missing the quarterbacking abilities of defensemen Jamie Drysdale, who sat out because of an unspecified lower-body injury, and Cam Fowler, who was forced from the game after suffering an apparent head injury.
The Ducks said Drysdale was day-to-day. Fowler’s status for Wednesday’s rematch with the Blues was uncertain.
“When you’re in a game like that and especially you’re looking for another goal, you want Cam Fowler out there,” Eakins said. “We’ve got enough injuries, enough guys out on the back end. You can go down the list. The guys we have are doing their best, but we need the skating ability and the offensive game that Cam has.”
AROUND THE RINK
Adam Henrique joined his teammates for their season-ending trip to play the Blues and the Wild after spending a week in quarantine after he was placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list. A family member tested positive, but Henrique did not. Henrique didn’t play Monday. …
David Backes, a former Blues captain, wasn’t in the Ducks’ lineup for Monday’s game, but Eakins said he would play Wednesday against St. Louis. Backes hinted last week that this might be his final NHL season, after 15 years, the last two with the Ducks. …
Josh Manson also made the trip but wasn’t in the lineup. He suffered an apparent head injury during a fight with Brendan Lemieux of the Kings in the third period of an April 20 game at Staples Center. Manson has been limited to 21 games this season because of various injuries.
