Game #33: Ducks vs. Golden Knights Gameday Preview

The Hockey News’ Derek Lee previews the Ducks’ matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights.

LAS VEGAS - The Ducks will take on the Vegas Golden Knights in— their final game before the Christmas break. This is already the fourth time this season that the Ducks and Golden Knights have played each other. The Golden Knights have won the previous three matchups, outscoring the Ducks 10-4.

Anaheim just pulled off an impressive comeback in Salt Lake City yesterday, overcoming a 4-1 deficit to secure both points in a shootout against the Utah Hockey Club.

“We had that goal at the goal-mouth that made it 4-3,” head coach Greg Cronin said. “That goal changed it. You could just tell there was more belief in our play and I think there was a little bit more confidence that if we got pucks down deep and got them back, we had an opportunity to get some scoring chances off of direct shots or rebounds.”

“It’s always more fun when you win, especially with the dads here,” Robby Fabbri said. Fabbri scored two goals in the win against Utah. “They only come to a couple of games as a group like that. I'm sure they had a lot of fun during the game and we'll have some more fun in Vegas.”

Vegas is coming off a 6-2 win on Dec. 21 against the Seattle Kraken. They are currently on a three-game winning streak and have won 11 of their last 14 games.

With a back-to-back, the Ducks did not have a morning skate. But John Gibson will tend the goal after Lukáš Dostál got the start last night against Utah HC.

Leo Carlsson left that game after taking a hard hit into the boards and did not return. His status is currently unknown but the expectation is that he will not play tonight. (UPDATE: Carlsson is in the lineup tonight against the Golden Knights).

Pavel Mintyukov had maybe the least time on ice in his NHL career in Sunday’s win against Utah HC, coming in at just under 12 minutes. If there was ever an opportunity for Drew Helleson to draw back into the lineup, the timing could not be more perfect: fresh legs in the second game of a back-to-back (SEGABABA) and he hasn’t played in a game in just over two weeks.

The Golden Knights will be without forwards Nicolas Roy and Ivan Barbahshev. Both are currently dealing with upper-body injuries. Defenseman Ben Hutton also remains out with an upper-body injury.

Ducks Projected Lines

Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Troy Terry
Brock McGinn - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Robby Fabbri
Jansen Harkins - Isac Lundeström - Brett Leason

Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas
Olen Zellweger - Jacob Trouba
Brian Dumoulin - Drew Helleson

John Gibson (confirmed)

Golden Knights Projected Lines

Victor Olofsson - Jack Eichel - Mark Stone
Tomáš Hertl - William Karlsson - Keegan Kolesar
Brett Howden - Tanner Laczynski - Pavel Dorofeyev
Tanner Pearson - Cole Schwindt - Alexander Holtz

Brayden McNabb - Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin - Alex Pietrangelo
Nicolas Hague - Zach Whitecloud

Adin Hill (confirmed)