The Anaheim Ducks secured a thrilling 4-3 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on March 5, 2024, completing a three-game season sweep. Chris Kreider emerged as the star of the night, scoring two goals, while goaltender Lukas Dostal made 27 saves to help his team secure their eighth victory in ten games.
The Ducks established an early lead, going up 3-0 before the Golden Knights mounted a significant comeback in the third period. In addition to Kreider’s goals, Cutter Gauthier added one and Ryan Poehling sealed the game with an empty-net goal. Despite the close score, the Ducks demonstrated resilience, particularly in the face of a dominant performance from Vegas in the final period.
Kreider’s first goal came late in the first period when a shot from Poehling deflected off his leg and into the net. He then extended the lead with a tip-in for his 19th goal early in the second period. Gauthier’s power-play goal followed shortly after, marking Anaheim’s fifth consecutive game with a power-play score.
Golden Knights Struggle Continue
The Golden Knights, who have now lost five games in a row and seven of their last eight, received goals from Mitch Marner and Ivan Barbashev, both of whom have scored in three straight games. Marner’s goal was particularly fortuitous, benefiting from a deflection off two Ducks players after a pass from Mark Stone.
Vegas showed determination in the third period, regaining momentum and applying pressure on the Ducks’ defense. Barbashev capitalized on a rebound in the crease after Dostal failed to cover a shot from Jack Eichel. Despite their efforts, the Golden Knights were unable to equalize, marking a disappointing continuation of their recent struggles.
Both teams welcomed back key players, with Troy Terry returning from an 11-game absence due to an upper-body injury, and Mason McTavish back after missing five games.
The Ducks played in front of a sold-out crowd, their eighth consecutive sellout, as they returned from a five-game road trip. This victory sets the stage for a promising nine-game homestand, with their next matchup against the Seattle Kraken on March 7, 2024. The Golden Knights will next host the Vancouver Canucks on March 6, 2024, as they look to break their losing streak.
As the season progresses, both teams will be eager to find consistency and improve their standings in the competitive league landscape.
