Sun Nov 23 02:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Ducks and Golden Knights Face Off in Pacific Division Showdown

Anaheim, CA – The Anaheim Ducks are set to host the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday in a crucial Pacific Division matchup with significant implications for the standings. The Ducks, looking to rebound from a recent loss to the Ottawa Senators, will aim to repeat their previous victory over the Golden Knights, a 4-3 overtime thriller in Vegas.

However, the Golden Knights have regrouped since that loss, winning three of their last four games. Both teams acknowledge the high stakes and the challenge ahead.

“[(Vegas is)] a good hockey team,” said Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville, emphasizing their speed, skill, and structure. Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy highlighted the Ducks’ fast-paced transition game and the growing awareness of their young talent, particularly Leo Carlsson.

Veteran forward Frank Vatrano stressed the importance of stifling the Golden Knights’ transition game by avoiding stubborn plays deep in the offensive zone, while rookie Carlsson called for a strong start, urging his teammates to “shoot everything from the start.”

In lineup news, defenseman Pavel Mintyukov returns after being a healthy scratch for three games, replacing rookie Ian Moore. This decision comes amid reports that Mintyukov would prefer a trade if he is not going to play. Quenneville acknowledged the difficulty of managing seven defensemen, stating, “You’ve got seven (defensemen) over a course of the year, everybody’s gonna get stretches where you’re playing and not playing.”

Forward Ryan Poehling, sidelined with an upper-body injury since November 13th, participated in morning skate and could return as early as next weekend. Mikael Granlund remains out with a lower-body injury.

The Golden Knights will be without forward William Karlsson and defenseman Jérémy Lauzon due to injury.

Projected Lineups:

Ducks:

  • Gauthier – Carlsson – Sennecke
  • Kreider – McTavish – Terry
  • Vatrano – Strome – Killorn
  • Johnston – Harkins – Nesterenko
  • LaCombe – Helleson
  • Zellweger – Trouba
  • Mintyukov – Gudas
  • Dostál (G)

Golden Knights:

  • Barbashev – Eichel – Bowman
  • Dorofeyev – Hertl – Marner
  • Saad – Howden – Smith
  • Reinhardt – Sissons – Kolesar
  • McNabb – Theodore
  • Hanifin – Whitecloud
  • Hutton – Korczak
  • Schmid (G)

Saturday’s game promises to be a hard-fought battle as both teams vie for crucial points in the tightly contested Pacific Division.

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