The Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks will clash for Game 4 of their Second Round playoff series at 6:50 p.m. PST, hoping to seize control and seize an early lead. Both sides should expect an intense contest on the ice!
These teams last clashed two days ago in Game 3, where Vegas grabbed an early edge by scoring only 66 seconds into the opening period and eventually dominating them 6-2 to put themselves on an advantageous footing heading into this matchup.
In goal for Vegas will be Carter Hart, who has compiled a solid postseason record of 6-3 with a .915 save percentage across nine games. The Ducks will counter with Lukáš Dostál, who holds a 5-4 postseason record but has struggled with an .876 save percentage in his nine appearances so far.
The Ducks face an added obstacle with the absence of Mark Stone, sidelined due to a lower-body injury sustained early in Game 3. Brandon Saad is set to make his postseason debut in place of Stone, having last played on April 11 against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Golden Knights are adjusting their lines accordingly, featuring a top line of Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel, and Pavel Dorofeyev. Saad will join Tomáš Hertl and Keegan Kolesar, while defensive pairings remain anchored by Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore.
On the Ducks’ side, the top line includes Chris Kreider, Leo Carlsson, and Troy Terry, aiming to challenge the Golden Knights’ defense. Anaheim’s power play has been effective, ranking second in the postseason at 29.6%, though their penalty kill ranks 14th at 73.9% efficiency.
The Golden Knights excel in penalty killing, boasting a 96.3% success rate after allowing only one goal on their last 27 kill attempts. Historically, teams securing a 3-1 series lead advance 91.1% of the time, placing significant pressure on the Ducks to shift momentum.
Mitch Marner has been on a tear, scoring six goals and nine points over his past four games, with his best effort coming in Game 3, when he scored his hat trick! Jack Eichel leads all NHL playoff playmakers in postseason assists (10). He credits these accomplishments as proof of his value as an invaluable playmaker.
Fans can watch as the Golden Knights and Ducks compete for supremacy in this pivotal Game 4 showdown.