Anaheim Ducks News

Dostal will get the start for the first time since November 26th, breaking a run of four consecutive starts for John Gibson. After a strong start to the season, Dostal has struggled of late, registering an ugly .787 SV% across his last three starts, losing all three decisions. He owns an .878 SV% and a 4.30 GAA on the season. Dostal couldn't ask for a better matchup to get back in the win column on Thursday as the Ducks are set to take on the lowly Blackhawks.

Kreider is dealing with a lower-body concern that kept him from practising on Thursday. Kreider has not missed any time but only has two points (1G / 1A) in his last five games and eight shots on goal. He has also seen his hit production decrease significantly this season, averaging only 0.88 hits per game, the least since his rookie season when he averaged 1.57 hits per game.

Husso will take the Wings' crease over for the third time in four games after winning his previous start in a 26 save (.867 SV%) victory vs. Montreal. The 28-year-old goaltender has struggled yet again this season much like he did in 2022-23, with his 8-4-1 record, 3.48 GAA and .891 SV%. He will host the San Jose Sharks, who enjoyed a four-goal comeback victory over the New York Islanders last game but are still last in the NHL in both shots per game (24.9) and goals per game (2.0).

Workhorse Connor Hellebuyck will have the day off on Tuesday when Laurent Brossoit suits up for the Jets against the Carolina Hurricanes. Brossoit has been serviceable but unspectacular in limited action this season, posting a 2.97 GAA and .877 SV% in five games (2-2-1). He owns a sub-.900 SV% in each of his five games and will be hard-pressed to break that trend on Tuesday as the Jets are +127 home underdogs against the Hurricanes, who have scored four or more goals in five of their last seven contests (5-1-1).

Husso did not play on Sunday and has mostly served as a backup since the emergence of Alex Lyon, but is coming off his best performance in over a month, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Friday. His terrific performance against the Bruins might be hard to replicate on Wednesday, as the Red Wings are expected to be without Dylan Larkin and are facing off against the New York Rangers, who have only two regulation losses in the last five weeks (13-2-1).

LaCombe will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season on Wednesday as he heads to the press box vs. Montreal for Tristan Luneau. The 22-year-old rookie has enjoyed an up-and-down 2023-24, with three assists, 15 SOG, 12 PIMs, and a -10 plus/minus in 18 games played thus far.

Luneau was not originally set to appear in Wednesday's game vs. Montreal but due to it coming against his hometown club will draw back into the Ducks' lineup. The 19-year-old appeared in two games for the Ducks in October of this season and failed to pick up a point while collecting a SOG and a -1 plus/minus rating.

Brossoit will get his first start in four games as he gives Connor Hellebuyck a night off vs. Arizona. The 30-year-old who signed in the offseason after winning a Stanley Cup, has struggled to repeat his success from last season as he is 1-1-1 with a .872 SV% and a 3.25 GAA. He takes on the Arizona Coyotes Saturday, who won their last game and are 14th in the NHL in goals per game.

Karlsson will get the night off Friday vs. Florida as Anaheim continues the 18-year-old's load management plan. The Ducks' star prospect has been sensational in his first NHL season, with six goals, two assists, 23 SOG, four PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 11 games played.

Luneau was originally assigned to San Diego (AHL) for a conditioning loan but has been recalled to Anaheim Friday. The 19-year-old defensemen was Anaheim's 2022 second-round pick (53rd overall) and returns to the NHL where he appeared in two games earlier in the season and failed to pick up a point while averaging 15:28 TOI.

Brossoit is coming off his first victory of the season, a 20-save performance (.870 SV%) in a 6-3 shellacking of the Nashville Predators on November 9th. As expected, Connor Hellebuyck has been a workhorse for the Jets this season, limiting Brossoit to only three starts thus far, a trend that should continue for the remainder of the season. The Jets, who have won four of their last five (4-1-0) heading into Friday, have a favourable matchup on Saturday against an Arizona Coyotes team that will be without top-six forward Baret Hayton for the next four to six weeks.