A battle for first place in the Pacific Division begins Saturday, when the Ducks take on the Vegas Golden Knights. The Ducks won the previous game in Las Vegas, beat the Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime.
This loss for Vegas came in the middle of a possible four-game losing streak, but they have won three of their last four games since then and have seven points out of a possible eight during that stretch. The Ducks are leaving a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators Thursday and we’re looking to get back in the win column.
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“(Vegas is) a good hockey team,” said Ducks head coach Joël Quenneville. “In the third period they really had us in our corner. They do a lot of good things. They are very fast, very skilled and talented. They see plays, make plays and they have structure. They are complete in all areas, it’s a very meaningful game for us as well.”
“(Their) transition game is excellent,” Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “A lot of speed, attack-oriented. I thought we played well that night. It was a good hockey game, it could have gone either way. And now what they’re going through is they’re not sneaking into teams anymore, right? People know (Leo) Carlsson and some of their younger players. So, that’s the challenge they have in front of them, and we’ll be one of those teams Now that we’ve seen them once, right? So I hope we can live up to it.”
November 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, United States; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba (65) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during an overtime period to give the Ducks a 4-3 victory at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
“They defend well,” Frank Vatrano said. “They’re a team that thrives on transition. So for us, don’t be stubborn about the lines behind them and try to create offense under the goal line.”
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“Playing hard for the first 10 minutes of the game will be huge for us,” Carlsson said. “Film everything from the beginning too. »
Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov returns to the lineup after being sidelined for three straight games. Rookie Ian Moore will replace him in the press box.
Report: Defender Pavel Mintyukov ‘would like to be moved if he doesn’t want to play’
“You have seven (defenders) throughout the year, everyone is going to have periods where you’re playing and not playing. You have to make tough decisions sometimes, and that’s where it’s at. I thought he was making progress at the beginning of the year to where you are today. He was killing penalties, having had a good game in that area. I just think offensively, there’s something there, I think he can add to our game and his game. I think he’s doing well.
November 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, United States; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (98) during the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Ducks forward Ryan Poehling (upper body) participated in morning skate for the first time since his injury on November 13. Quenneville said the earliest Poehling could return is next weekend. Mikael Granlund remains out with a lower body injury. He has yet to skate since aggravating his injury against the Detroit Red Wings on November 13.
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Since the last Ducks-Golden Knights clash, the Golden Knights have lost forward William Karlsson and defenseman Jérémy Lauzon to injury. Karlsson left this game early due to an undisclosed injury and is currently week-to-week. Lauzon also has an undisclosed injury and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
Projected lines of ducks
Gauthier cutter – Léo Carlsson – Beckett Sennecke
Chris Kreider-Mason McTavish-Troy Terry
Frank Vatrano-Ryan Strome-Alex Killorn
Ross Johnston – Jansen Harkins – Nikita Nesterenko
Jackson LaCombe – Drew Helleson
Olen Zellweger – Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov – Radko Gudas
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Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)
Golden Knights projected lines
Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Braeden Bowman
Pavel Dorofeyev – Tomáš Hertl – Mitch Marner
Brandon Saad-Brett Howden-Reilly Smith
Cole Reinhardt – Colton Sissons – Keegan Kolesar
Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin – Zach Whitecloud
Ben Hutton-Kaedan Korczak
Akira Schmid (confirmed)
