Trevor Zegras ties Ducks rookie scoring record in win over Blue Jackets

ANAHEIM — Trevor Zegras continued to make the spectacular seem routine Sunday during the Ducks’ 6-4 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Honda Center. He scored one goal he called “probably the easiest I’ve ever scored in my life” and set up another with a flawless centering pass.

In the process, he tied Bobby Ryan’s franchise record for points by a rookie with his 56th and 57th of the season. Ryan set his mark with 31 goals and 26 assists in 2008-09. Zegras has 21 goals and 36 assists with five regular-season games still to be played in 2021-22.

“Bobby Ryan was a tremendous hockey player,” Zegras said. “I grew up watching him play, so to be tied to him in any way is pretty special for me. There are things I’m happy about this year, but where we are as a team, I think there’s a lot we can work on, a lot I can work on.”

Zegras referred to the fact that the Ducks were eliminated from playoff contention last week.

Troy Terry had two goals and an assist and Derek Grant had a goal and two assists, helping goaltender John Gibson end a 13-game winless streak with his first victory since March 1 against the Boston Bruins. Gibson made 30 saves as the Ducks improved to 30-33-14.

Terry scored his team-leading 35th and 36th goals, the most by a Duck since Corey Perry had 43 goals in 2013-14. Terry joined an elite list of Ducks to have scored 35 goals or more, led by Teemu Selanne. Paul Kariya, Perry and Ryan are the others. Selanne holds the team record with 52 goals, set in 1997-98.

“I’ve always been able to score goals, but I’ve always been more of a past-first guy,” Terry said. “Everyone’s been telling me to shoot the puck more. That’s something I came into this year trying to focus on. It’s been up and down. Obviously, there are games when you don’t get as many opportunities.”

Terry had at least three glorious chances for a third goal after scoring twice in the first period, but he misfired on two in the opening period and then struck the goal post on an opportunity in the second. He was credited with eight shots on goal for the second consecutive game.

Can he score his 40th by season’s end April 29?

“I thought it was out of reach when I was sitting at 33,” he said. “It’s not something I’m really thinking about. Now, who knows? It would be awesome to hit it. I won’t stand up here and tell you it wouldn’t, but it’s also not something I’m going to be looking for and pressing or anything.”

Zegras set up Gerry Mayhew’s goal that gave the Ducks a 3-1 lead only 7:42 into the game, a flawless centering pass from the right wing. But the Ducks couldn’t maintain their lead as Columbus rallied for a 3-3 tie by the end of the second period, with Jake Bean scoring twice and Sean Kuraly once.

Zegras put the Ducks in front to stay with an assist from Derek Grant only 1:03 into the third. Grant spotted Zegras cutting toward the net from the left wing and slipped him the puck. Cam Fowler and Grant (empty net) also scored in the final period. Cole Sillinger had the Blue Jackets’ fourth goal.

Grant had two assists as did Ryan Getzlaf.