Game 2: Anaheim At Vegas

By Michael Walters

Anaheim(0-1-0) at Vegas(1-0-0)

Pregame Show: DucksNPucks Podcast

TV: 7:00 PM PT/10:00 PM ET, Fox Sports West

Radio & Post Game Show: KLAA AM 830

Anaheim Outlook

The Ducks got off to a bad start getting down early 2-0 just minutes into the season opener against the Golden Knights. Anaheim was able to rally and score two quick goals. The Ducks played well in the middle of the game, but ended running out of steam in the third period and lost 5-2.

Anaheim did well winning 58% off the face-offs in the first game and only had one giveaway. The Ducks had one power play attempt and didn’t not convert. Anaheim needs to get off to a better start and hopefully be able to maintain their energy level for 60 minutes.

Max Comtois leads the team in scoring with two goals.

Team News:

Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras are currently assigned to the AHL. The San Diego Gulls are playing their games this season at the Great Park Ice in Irvine. Even though they will start with the Gulls, there is still a chance that both of them could appear in a Ducks uniform this season.

The Anaheim taxi squad consists of the following players David Backes, Max Comtois, Kodi Curran, Vinni Lettieri, Anthony Stolarz, and Andy Welinski. The league created the taxi squad in case a team needed to call up a replacement due to a player being out with COVID or injury. The taxi squad will travel with the team.

Ben Hutton was released from his PTO and then signed a one-year deal worth $950,000 per Elliotte Friedman. He was added to the Anaheim roster, so it will interesting to see if he plays tonight.

Today Welinski was activated from the taxi squad and Curran was placed back on it.

Projected Lineup

Offense:
Rickard Rakell – Adam Henrique – Jakob Silfverberg
Isac Lundestrom – Ryan Getzlaf – Danton Heinen
Max Comtois  – Sam Steel – Troy Terry
Nicolas Deslauriers – Derek Grant – Carter Rowney

Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Kevin Shattenkirk
Cam Fowler – Josh Manson
Jacob Larsson – Jani Hakanpaa

In Net:
John Gibson 0-1-0 GAA 4.14, SV% .857 (Confirmed)

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Vegas Outlook

Vegas started the season with 13 forwards and just five defensemen. The team was going to be over the cap so they had to waive two players. According to Sin Bin Vegas, the team went with defenseman Nick Holden because they thought forward Keegan Kolesar would get claimed off waivers. They also waived Nicolas Hague, who is waiver exempt, in order to be in compliance with the cap.

The Vegas taxi squad will consist of the following players Dylan Coghlan, Oscar Dansk, Nicolas Hague, Nick Holden, Tomas Jurco, and Gage Quinney.

The Golden Knights got off to a quick start in the season opener, but then the Ducks responded immediately. Anaheim was able to carry the play in the middle of the game, but Vegas scored early in the third and went on to win.

William Carrier did not practice yesterday and is questionable for today.

Projected Lineup (per Sin Bin Vegas)

Offense
Jonathan Marchessault – William Karlsson – Reilly Smith
Max Pacioretty – Chandler Stephenson – Mark Stone
Nicolas Roy – Cody Glass – Alex Tuch
William Carrier – Tomas Nosek – Ryan Reaves – Keegan Kolesar

Defense
Brayden McNabb – Alex Pietrangelo
Alec Martinez– Shea Theodore
Zach Whitecloud

Goalie
Robin Lehner 1-0-0, GAA 2.00, SV% .909 (Probable)

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January 16th, 2021