(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
Tonight, the Golden Knights host the 7-3-3 first-place Anaheim Ducks. It’s the first time since Vegas’ inaugural season that the Ducks have been relevant in the Pacific Division. Sure, they were a stalwart prior to the Golden Knights’ existence, but since the 2017-18 season both clubs have gone in opposite directions. That’s up until now.
VGK vs. ANA Point Total By Season
2017-18: VGK (109) – ANA (101)
2018-19: VGK (93) – ANA (80) Missed Playoffs
2019-20: VGK (86) – ANA (67) Missed Playoffs
2020-21: VGK (82) – ANA (43) Missed Playoffs
2021-22: VGK (94) Missed Playoffs – ANA (76) Missed Playoffs
2022-23: VGK (111) – ANA (58) Missed Playoffs
2023-24: VGK (98) – ANA (59) Missed Playoffs
2024-25: VGK (110) – ANA (80) Missed Playoffs
2025-26: VGK (17) – ANA (19)
This season, the Ducks, like the Golden Knights, are positioned to qualify for the postseason one month in. However, it doesn’t seem to be just a random hot start for Anaheim. The Pacific Division leader is first in the NHL in goals per game (4.15) and have scored 12 more goals than VGK through 13 games. Impressively enough, the Ducks are also tied for the best goal differential (+13) in the Western Conference. For reference, the Golden Knights are fourth in goal differential (+5) so far.
Tonight, the Golden Knights could have their hands full with 2023 second overall pick Leo Carlsson, who is having a Jack Eichel-type season. Carlsson has collected 20 points and 2 game-winning goals so far. Also, the Ducks are blessed with 2022 fifth overall selection Cutter Gauthier, who leads the NHL with 11 tallies, two ahead of VGK scoring leader Pavel Dorofeyev. Overall, the weaponry of each team are comparable and extremely dangerous.
They are a good team. The last few games they’ve been scoring a ton of goals. They have a lot of young fast and big skilled forwards and they are good on the back end too. It’s going to be a tough matchup and it’s something we need at this point of the season to really help turn our game. It’s one that you get up for. -Shea Theodore
Although it’s taken nine seasons to build back a playoff-quality roster, the Ducks are blessed with high-level talent and trusty veterans to help lead them to the finish line. It’s probably the deepest and experienced lineup Vegas has seen from Anaheim since their last meeting in 2017-18. Dating back to that season, the Golden Knights own a 27-7-1 lifetime record against the Ducks.
The Golden Knights are hoping to uphold the status quo, but for the first time in a long time, the Ducks may be ready to upset it.
