Dec 22, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) and Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) fight for a loose puck during the first period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn ImagesThe Ducks are looking to flip the script against Utah Hockey Club in the second game of a back-to-back (SEGABABA) after losing 7-4 to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
Anaheim got three goals and five points from their blue line, but poor puck management and defensive breakdowns did them in.
“(Our team is) resilient,” head coach Greg Cronin said. “We battled back. I talked to them after the game about managing the puck again. The winning goal was (off) a turnover and it was needless. We should have just moved the puck forward and put it deep.
“We had momentum. It was a fight. Both teams were punching back and forth in the third period, it was actually a really entertaining game to watch. I’m sure the fans enjoyed it, but we have to learn from that.”
The Ducks are 2-0 against Utah this season, winning both games 5-4 in comeback fashion. Utah is coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.
Karel Vejmelka is expected to start his eighth consecutive game for Utah, sporting a 4-1-2 record with a .914 SV% in his seven previous starts.
Lukáš Dostál started on Tuesday against the Capitals, but it’s unclear who will start tonight for Anaheim. Ville Husso was recalled from San Diego and backed up Dostál on Tuesday. John Gibson, who’s been dealing with a lower-body injury, participated in Tuesday’s morning skate but did not dress.
Ducks Projected Lines
Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Troy Terry
Trevor Zegras - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn
Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Sam Colangelo
Jansen Harkins - Isac Lundeström - Ross Johnston
Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas
Olen Zellweger - Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov - Drew Helleson
Lukáš Dostál (projected)
Utah Projected Lines
Clayton Keller - Logan Cooley - Nick Schmaltz
Alex Kerfoot - Barrett Hayton - Dylan Guenther
Lawson Crouse - Jack McBain - Josh Doan
Michael Carcone - Kevin Stenlund - Liam O’Brien
Mikhail Sergachev - John Marino
Olli Määttä - Sean Durzi
Ian Cole - Michael Kesselring
Karel Vejmelka (confirmed)