Overview
- The Anaheim Ducks opened the season with a 4-3 road win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, rallying around a fast start that produced a 4-0 lead.
- Anaheim’s defense looks very different this year after veterans Jacob Trouba and John Carlson departed and younger players Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov were installed as leaders.
- The Ducks committed long-term money to youth in the offseason, matching Leo Carlsson’s five-year, $90 million offer sheet, signing Cutter Gauthier to six years and $81 million, and extending Tristan Luneau for six years and $43.2 million.
- Vegas fought back in the third period but fell short as Minnesota Lukas Dostal made key saves; William Karlsson’s line with Mitch Marner and Brett Howden remains a focus after limited preseason production.
- The result raises questions about how Anaheim’s new-look blue line and big forward contracts will hold up over a full season and gives the Ducks early momentum heading into their next games.