The Anaheim Ducks are aiming to even their Second Round series against the Vegas Golden Knights tonight at Honda Center. Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m. PT. The game will air nationally on ESPN.
Anaheim are hoping to turn things around after falling 6-2 to Vegas on Friday. The team is quickly looking to put that game behind them.
Ducks’ Reaction to Game 3 Loss
Alex Killorn reflected on the team’s performance. “It wasn’t a great start,” he said. “They score in the first five minutes and then they get a PK goal and then that goal on the power play with five seconds left. It’s tough to win a game when you put yourself in spots like that.”
Head coach Joel Quenneville added, “There’s a lesson to take out of today’s game, and it’s only going to get harder every single game. Let’s get ready to go to war.”
Team Updates and Lineup Changes
Drew Helleson is out tonight and is day-to-day. Radko Gudas called himself a game-time decision.
Mark Stone will miss tonight’s game for Vegas. Brandon Saad will replace Stone in the lineup.
Lukas Dostal will return to the net for Anaheim. Mason McTavish will return to the lineup for Anaheim.
McTavish said he’s “ready to go”. He added his group is looking to give Dostal more help as their sights are set on rebounding tonight.
“He’s been so good all year,” McTavish said of his goaltender. “Obviously, we know the kind of goalie he is. We have so much confidence in him. He’s bailed us out so many times and always comes back stronger so I’m excited to see his game today.”
Keys to Victory for Anaheim
The Ducks are looking to match Vegas’ energy from the get-go. That includes being more aggressive on the power play.
Vegas’ penalty kill has been lethal this postseason. They have killed 21 consecutive power plays in six-straight beginning with Game 3 vs Utah in the First Round.
- Look to shoot more, especially maybe from the top.
- Get some one-timers and some better screens.
- Stay in that pressure and tire Vegas out.
“I think we just gotta look to shoot more, especially maybe from the top, too, get some one-timers and some better screens,” McTavish added. “But I think the biggest thing is getting those second chances. I think we’re doing a really good job of getting in there and getting set up and getting a shot, but just to stay in that pressure and tire (Vegas) out, that’s when power plays really open up and you can score more.”
The Ducks are hoping to turn things around and even the series against the Golden Knights in Sunday’s tilt at Honda Center.