The Anaheim Ducks snapped their two-game losing streak with a hard-fought 4-3 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on March 10, 2024. Chris Kreider played a pivotal role, scoring two goals, while teammates Cutter Gauthier and Ryan Poehling contributed one goal each. The win marked the Ducks’ fourth consecutive home victory, propelling the team back into playoff contention.
After a challenging period that followed a seven-game winning streak, the Ducks needed this performance to regain their momentum. The match showcased significant contributions from Troy Terry, who returned from an 11-game absence due to an upper body injury and provided two assists. Additionally, Lukas Dostal made 28 saves, solidifying his role in the team’s defense.
Early Dominance and Key Goals
The Ducks established control early in the game. Kreider opened the scoring at 13:21 of the first period when a pass from Poehling deflected off his skate and crossed the goal line. The momentum continued as Kreider extended the lead to 2-0 just over a minute into the second period. A powerful shot from Jacob Truba was deflected by Kreider, marking his 19th goal of the season, which is the second highest on the team.
Gauthier further increased the Ducks’ lead to 3-0 at 4:32 of the second period with a power-play goal. He scored through traffic from the left penalty spot, showcasing his scoring prowess as he notched his team-leading 24th goal of the season.
The Golden Knights, struggling with a five-game losing streak, found their footing when Mitch Marner scored at 9:47 of the second period. A pass from Mark Stone was deflected to Marner, who managed to capitalize before Dostal could respond.
Intense Finish and Final Goals
As the game progressed into the third period, the Golden Knights continued to push back, narrowing the gap to 3-2 at 10:40. Ivan Barbashev tipped in a shot past Dostal, marking his third consecutive game with a goal after a lengthy 16-game scoreless drought.
In a critical moment, Poehling sealed the victory for the Ducks with an empty-net goal, assisted by Terry, with just 1:07 left on the clock. Despite a late goal from Tomas Hertl for Vegas with only 5.3 seconds remaining, the Ducks held on for the win.
The Ducks completed the season series against the Golden Knights with three victories, including two that went into overtime. As they look ahead, the Ducks aim to maintain their playoff position while the Golden Knights seek to break free from their recent slump, having recorded only one win in their last eight games.
This match not only showcased the Ducks’ resilience but also highlighted the urgency for the Golden Knights to regroup as they approach the final stretch of the season.
