The Anaheim Ducks will play the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday in a game that could affect the top of the Pacific Division standings. The Ducks, currently leading the division with 27 points, are just ahead of both the Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings, who have 26 points each.
Anaheim recently saw its six-game home win streak end after a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. During that match, Troy Terry nearly tied the game late but was unable to score due to a broken stick. Head coach Joel Quenneville said, “I thought we had a pretty solid third period, and I thought we had a lot of play. It was a tough icing (before the go-ahead goal). They got the fortunate bounce, and we got our goalie out. We have a great opportunity to make the play and made the play, and that was a tough break, no pun.”
Mason McTavish added his perspective after scoring in that loss: “[We] hung in there until the last two minutes, and they got the go-ahead goal there. It was a decent effort from us, but it would have been a lot better, obviously, if we could have got at least a point there.”
The two teams previously met this month with Anaheim winning 4-3 in overtime. Since then, Vegas has recorded three wins in their last six games.
Quenneville noted that Vegas is “a good hockey team,” adding: “That third period there, they really had us in our end. They do a lot of good things, they’re very quick, they’re very skilled. They’re talented. They see plays [and] make plays … They’re well-rounded in all areas and this is a very meaningful game for us, as well.”
Jack Eichel leads Vegas with 27 points while Mitch Marner has contributed 21.
Frank Vatrano spoke about Anaheim’s focus for tonight’s matchup: “They have one of the best D-corps in the league, they’re big, and they can all move, too. For us, we gotta make sure to put pucks in good places. Make sure it’s not just getting into the zone but it’s gotta get behind them.”
Coach Quenneville confirmed Lukas Dostal will start as goaltender for Anaheim.
