The Ducks will face a team playing its second consecutive game (SEGABABA) for the second game in a row while the Vegas Golden Knights come to town for the third meeting of the season between these two teams.
The Golden Knights won the first two games of the series by scores of 3-1 and 3-2. Mistakes in their own zone plagued the Ducks in those two losses. Cleaning up these mistakes will help minimize easy chances to score.
Related: Golden Knights vs. Ducks Pre-Game Stats Pack, Scouting Report
“When you play a team like that, you have to limit the mistakes,” Ducks forward Ryan Strome said. “In both games, a crucial play, a penalty or an untimely goal hurt us. For us, the question is ‘Can we put on a full 60-minute match’? Because that’s what it takes against these good teams.
“We’ve been playing well lately, but it’s going to take a lot of effort and concentration for 60 minutes to get the win. They’re back to back, so hopefully we can jump on them early and try to use our legs and some of our kids to skate them tonight and continue to play like we have been doing a lot of good things lately, so we just have to keep it going.
Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images
“Their main goal is to keep you out,” Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said. “They’re really strong at defending the front of their net. They have big, long defenders and they do a really good job of guarding the front of the net and eliminating those chances in the third circle. Their ability to handle shots against in their defensive zone is impressive.
Vegas is still without Mark Stone, who missed the second game of the season with a lower-body injury. They will also likely be without defensemen Ben Hutton and Zach Whitecloud. Both suffered upper body injuries.
Leo Carlsson (upper body), who was named to Swedish squad list for 4 Nations showdown This morning, it’s still day to day and I won’t play tonight. He is currently skating alone and is not yet participating in training.
After missing 11 games with an upper body injury, defenseman Cam Fowler will return to the lineup. He will replace Pavel Mintyukov, who will be left out when healthy.
Cronin on what Mintyukov can learn from watching tonight’s game as a scratch:
“The biggest thing with Minty is just his awareness away from the puck. He’s a gifted kid offensively. It’ll be good for him to watch the game and see how the players play defensively. Where… https://t.co/9RKfMBskR9
– Patrick Present (@PatrickCPresent) December 4, 2024
“In recent years it has probably been the most important thing“It’s difficult when you go through an injury, but it’s allowed me to take a step back and realize how much I enjoy the game and miss the game when I’m not able to play. I have a lot excited and I’m really looking forward to getting back into the lineup.”
Because Adin Hill started last night against the Edmonton Oilers, expect Ilya Samsonov to face the Ducks tonight for the second time this season. Samsonov stopped 22 of 23 shots against the Ducks in the first meeting of the season between the two teams on October 13.
Projected lines of ducks
Trevor Zegras – Mason McTavish – Alex Killorn
Frank Vatrano-Ryan Strome-Troy Terry
Gauthier Cutter – Isac Lundeström – Brett Leason
Ross Johnston-Jansen Harkins-Sam Colangelo
Jackson LaCombe – Olen Zellweger
Cam Fowler – Radko Gudas
Brian Dumoulin – Drew Helleson
John Gibson (confirmed)
Golden Knights projected lines
Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Pavel Dorofeyev
Tomáš Hertl – Nicolas Roy – Keegan Kolesar
Brett Howden-William Karlsson-Victor Olofsson
Tanner Pearson-Cole Schwindt-Alexander Holtz
Noah Hanifin – Alex Pietrangelo
Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore
Nicolas Hague – Kaedan Korczak
Ilya Samsonov (confirmed)
