Derek Lee and Patrick Present discuss the state of the Ducks in early-mid December The Anaheim Ducks played their second game of a back-to-back on their brief road trip with a matchup on Monday in Vegas against the Golden Knights. Game #33: Ducks vs. Golden Knights Gameday Preview [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/game-day/ducks-gameday-preview-12-23-24] The Ducks were coming off an emotional comeback shootout win over the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday and were looking to bring their record within one game of .500. The Golden Knights were looking for their fourth win in a row and to firm up their grasp on the top spot in the Pacific Division before the short holiday break. After exiting Sunday's game in the third period, Leo Carlsson returned somewhat surprisingly to the lineup in his familiar spot between Alex Killorn and Brock McGinn. McGinn sustained a lower-body injury early in the first period and didn't return. Drew Helleson drew (pun intended) back into the lineup in this game after serving as a healthy scratch for the Ducks' previous seven games. John Gibson got the start in net for the Ducks but was forced out of the game late in the first period after taking a stick to the face. He stopped all 11 shots he faced before Lukas Dostal came into the game in relief. Dostal saved 19 of 22 shots, coming into the game cold and having played 65 minutes the night before in Utah. Adin Hill took the crease for Vegas in this one. He stopped 31 of the 32 shots he faced. Here are my notes from this game: Breakout: Early in the game, the Ducks displayed an added wrinkle to their breakout strategy. When the strong side winger (specifically Troy Terry) felt pressure from a pinching defenseman, he flew the zone to negate him in search of a stretch pass or area chip. When the defenseman was retreated in the neutral zone, he curled in support of the puck carrying defenseman to build up speed through the neutral zone and attack on the rush. As the game wore on, fewer of those opportunities presented themselves, but it's a layer Trevor Zegras can add to his game when he returns from injury if he's to become a full time winger. Wingers like Mitch Marner, Artemi Panarin, and David Pastrnak manufacture ways to make plays from the middle of the ice and there's no doubt Zegras can too. Cycle: Cycle chances dried up as the game became longer as well. Vegas protected the middle of their defensive zone well and won races to loose pucks before executing clean breakouts. The early portion of the game showed some promising signs of generating offense off the cycle when forwards, like they did a night ago in Utah, carried pucks up the wall from the corner of the ice to create more dangerous seams within the opposing defensive coverage. Cutter Gauthier: As he's becoming increasingly more comfortable with the puck on his stick, Gauthier's moving his feet more in the offensive zone, processing plays at a higher speed, and scanning for optimal plays more consistently. He's finding a nice rapport with Mason McTavish, who can win him pucks from the wall in space. Leo Carlsson: Carlsson was much more comfortable and dangerous on the right flank of the top power play unit in this game, as opposed to the bumper position where he resided since returning from injury. He does need to keep moving and looking for seams when the puck is on the far side of the ice. He instinctually heads toward the right post, eliminating himself as a passing option. He also needs to iron out his decision making when he has the puck on his stick in the defensive zone. He's adjusted to the NHL speed and ice, but has been prone to turnovers in that situation this season. The Ducks' next game will be a Saturday matinee on Dec. 28, when they'll host the Philadelphia Flyers. World Junior Championship Preview: Four Ducks Prospects to Represent their Countries [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/world-junior-championship-preview-four-ducks-prospects-to-represent-their-countries] Ducks Have Several Alternate Captain Options to Replace Cam Fowler [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-have-several-alternate-captain-options-to-replace-cam-fowler]
