Anaheim Ducks News

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).

Mrazek has not played the last two games for the Blackhawks but appears likely to make his return to the crease on Tuesday. Mrazek has been mostly solid this season, posting a 3.24 GAA and .904 SV% in 11 games (4-6-0), but is in the midst of his worst three-game stretch of the season (0-3-0), allowing 11 goals on 69 combined shots (.841 SV%). The Blackhawks have lost six of their last seven (1-6-0) and are +165 home underdogs against a Seattle Kraken team that has at least a point in five of their last six (3-1-2).

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.

Harkins has four goals, five assists, 10 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 11 games played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and has been recalled for a second time this season Tuesday. The 26-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Penguins earlier this season and appeared in four games but failed to pick up any points.

Mrazek will look to snap a two-game losing streak as he takes the crease Wednesday in Columbus. The 31-year-old has enjoyed an impressive bounce-back season after two rough campaigns in a row, as he is 4-5-0 with a .915 SV% and 2.89 GAA this year. They will head to Columbus to take on the downfalling Blue Jackets, who have lost nine straight and are 27th in the NHL in goals (2.68).

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.

Mrazek will look for his third consecutive victory on Thursday as the starting goalie against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blackhawks rank in the bottom third of the league defensively, allowing an average of 3.46 goals per game. That said, Mrazek has quietly put together an impressive 2023-24 campaign thus far, boasting a 2.84 GAA and .921 SV% through eight contests (4-3-0). The Blackhawks are +160 home underdogs but have an intriguing matchup against the Lightning, who have been shut out in back-to-back games, and lost three straight contests (0-3-0), including a 5-3 loss at the hands of Mrazek and the Blackhawks.

Mrazek will look for his third consecutive victory on Thursday as the likely starting goalie against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blackhawks rank in the bottom third of the league defensively, allowing an average of 3.46 goals per game. That said, Mrazek has quietly put together an impressive 2023-24 campaign thus far, boasting a 2.84 GAA and .921 SV% through eight contests (4-3-0). The Blackhawks are +160 home underdogs but have an intriguing matchup against the Lightning, who have been shut out in back-to-back games, and lost three straight contests (0-3-0), including a 5-3 loss at the hands of Mrazek and the Blackhawks.

Dostal will be in net for the tail-end of Anaheim's back-to-back after starter John Gibson got the nod in Nashville on Tuesday. It's Dostal's first start since surrendering five goals on 35 shots in a 6-3 defeat to the Flyers last Friday. Dostal owns a 5-2-0 record on the year to go along with his .910 SV% and 3.15 GAA. He draws a difficult assignment on Wednesday with the Ducks being +240 underdogs in Colorado.

This is presumably just a chance for Carlsson to rest as the Ducks have stated they plan on managing his workload early in the season. The 2023 second-overall pick is off to a great start to his rookie season, piling up six goals and two assists in his first ten games. Look for Carlsson to return to the lineup for Wednesday's game in Colorado.