The Anaheim Ducks will face the Minnesota Wild in their last home game before a four-game road trip. The match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on Victory+ and KCOP-13.
On Friday, it was announced that Leo Carlsson and Mikael Granlund have been named to represent Sweden and Finland, respectively, at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Other Ducks players selected for the Olympics include Lukas Dostal and Radko Gudas (Czechia) as well as goaltender prospect Damian Clara (Italy).
“Everybody is happy for them,” head coach Joel Quenneville said. “Granny’s (Granlund) had a tremendous career and he’s a proud countryman and I’m sure he’s looking forward to that opportunity. It gives that team a lot of different options the way we like to apply him in all situations … Leo, he got off to a great start and I’m sure between now and then, before he leaves [for the Winter Olympics], this month will be a good test for him as well. Certainly, deserving as he has the potential to be one of the top guys out there. I’m happy for him.”
In their previous game, Anaheim earned one point after losing 4-3 in overtime against the Lightning. Jansen Harkins scored first for Anaheim, with Beckett Sennecke and Mason McTavish adding goals. Sennecke’s goal marked his 12th of the season and brought his total points to 30, tying Stanislav Chistov and Leo Carlsson for most goals by a teenage Ducks player in one season.
Despite earning a point, Anaheim has lost its last four games. Ryan Poehling commented on how the team can end this streak: “It’s just knowing that we’ve gotta trust ourselves,” Poehling said. “We put ourselves in such a great spot and we’re the team that is capable of doing great things. We can’t get away from that. It starts with all of us just playing the right way … Play 200 feet and create our offense from there.”
The Wild recently lost in shootouts to the Sharks on New Year’s Eve. This matchup marks the second regular season meeting between Anaheim and Minnesota; Minnesota won their first encounter 2-0.
Poehling also spoke about Minnesota’s playing style: “They’re big and they play hard and they make you earn it,” Poehling said. “They don’t give you much, so for a team like that to be that solid defensively and still have the capability to score goals is tough … For us to not give them anything is the biggest thing. You can’t give them an early jump and play from behind because that’s a team that kind of strangles you in that sense. For us to just kind of play our game right from the start is important.”
Lukas Dostal will start as goaltender for Anaheim, with Radko Gudas likely returning to action according to Quenneville.
The Ducks also reported Frank Vatrano will be sidelined for about six weeks due to a shoulder fracture sustained on December 27.
