Chris Kreider scored twice, helping the Anaheim Ducks secure a 4-3 victory against the visiting Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. Cutter Gauthier and Ryan Poehling also contributed goals, as the Ducks improved their standing in the playoff race with this win.
Key Contributions from Troy Terry and Lukas Dostal
Troy Terry returned from an 11-game absence due to an upper body injury and recorded two assists, while goalie Lukas Dostal stopped 28 shots, marking Anaheim’s fourth straight home win. The team snapped a brief two-game losing streak that came after a seven-game winning run.
Season Series Dominance Over Golden Knights
The Ducks finished their season series with Vegas undefeated, winning all three matchups, including two in overtime. This consistent success demonstrated Anaheim’s ability to overcome the Golden Knights despite recent challenges.
Golden Knights Struggle Continues Amid Losing Streak
For Vegas, Mitch Marner, Ivan Barbashev, and Tomas Hertl scored goals, though goalie Adin Hill allowed four goals on 23 shots. The Golden Knights extended their losing streak to five games, matching a season-worst, and have struggled since ending a seven-game winning streak on January 19.
Breakdown of Scoring Highlights
Kreider opened the scoring at 13:21 in the first period when Ryan Poehling’s pass deflected off Kreider’s skate into the net. Early in the second period, Kreider redirected a shot from Jacob Truba to make it 2-0, marking his 19th goal of the season, second on the Ducks team.
Cutter Gauthier extended the lead to 3-0 with his 24th goal on a power play at 4:32 of the second period, firing through traffic from the left penalty spot.
The Golden Knights responded before the period ended. Mark Stone’s pass found Mitch Marner, who deflected it past Dostal at 9:47, cutting Anaheim’s lead to 3-1.
In the third period, Ivan Barbashev scored on a tipped shot at 10:40, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Barbashev has now scored in three straight games after a 16-game drought without a goal.
Ryan Poehling sealed the victory by scoring into an empty net with just over a minute remaining, assisted by Troy Terry. Tomas Hertl added a late goal for Vegas with 5.3 seconds left, bringing the final score to 4-3.
Implications of the Victory and Outlook
With this win, the Ducks strengthened their position in the playoff race, demonstrating resilience and ability to rally after a brief slump. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are facing mounting pressure as their losing streak impacts their season momentum. Anaheim’s strong finish against Vegas could provide confidence moving forward as the team aims to maintain its competitive edge.
