The Anaheim Ducks secured a thrilling 4-3 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on March 5, 2024, completing a season sweep of their opponents. Chris Kreider played a pivotal role, scoring two goals, while Lukas Dostal made 27 saves to help the Ducks maintain their strong performance, winning eight of their last ten games.
Kreider opened the scoring late in the first period. A shot from Ryan Poehling deflected off Kreider’s leg and found the back of the net, giving the Ducks an early lead. He followed up with his 19th goal of the season early in the second period, tipping a shot into the net. Just minutes later, Cutter Gauthier extended the lead to 3-0, marking Anaheim’s fifth power-play goal in five games.
The Golden Knights, however, mounted a comeback in the third period. Mitch Marner and Ivan Barbashev both found the net, bringing the score to within one. Marner’s goal came from a fortunate deflection after a pass from Mark Stone bounced off two Ducks players. Despite the pressure, the Ducks held their ground, and Ryan Poehling sealed the victory with an empty-net goal shortly before the final buzzer.
The Ducks faced a challenging third period, where the Golden Knights dominated play and applied significant pressure. Anaheim’s lead, once comfortably at 3-0, was nearly erased as Vegas found their rhythm. Barbashev’s goal, which came after Dostal failed to control a shot from Jack Eichel, showcased the Knights’ determination to fight back.
This game marked a notable moment for Kreider, as it was his first multi-goal performance since November 6, 2023, following his transfer from the New York Rangers last June. The Ducks benefited from the return of players like Troy Terry, who had been sidelined for 11 games due to an upper-body injury, and Mason McTavish, who returned after a five-game absence.
The Ducks played in front of their home crowd for the eighth consecutive time, coming off a five-game road trip to kick off a nine-game homestand. The atmosphere at the Honda Center was electric, underscoring the fans’ enthusiasm for the team’s resurgence.
Looking ahead, the Golden Knights will host the Vancouver Canucks on March 8, while the Ducks will face off against the Seattle Kraken on March 7. After this victory, Anaheim looks poised to continue their upward trajectory in the league standings.
