Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Predictions October 13th 2024

Golden Knights Look to Continue Hot Start vs. Ducks

The Vegas Golden Knights are aiming to extend their impressive start to the 2023-24 NHL season as they host the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. After winning their first two games, the defending Stanley Cup champions are looking for a third consecutive victory to maintain their momentum.

Golden Knights’ Strong Start

Vegas opened the season with a thrilling 8-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche, followed by a 4-3 victory against the St. Louis Blues. Both wins saw the Golden Knights come from behind after conceding early goals, showcasing their resilience and ability to take control of games quickly.

Center Jack Eichel expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It’s been good… We want to continue to get better.” Eichel, who plays a key role in the team’s offense, has been a standout in their winning efforts.

Head coach Bruce Cassidy is pleased with his team’s ability to protect leads, particularly in the third period. “That’s two leads we’ve had in the third period and, in both games, we’ve closed them out,” Cassidy said. This ability to finish games strongly is a critical element that Vegas has relied on early this season.

A major highlight for Vegas has been defenseman Shea Theodore, who has recorded a goal and four assists across the two games. His partnership with Alex Pietrangelo has been crucial on both ends of the ice. Cassidy praised the duo’s work, saying, “They’ve done a good job below the goal line killing plays together.”

Goalie Ilya Samsonov Set to Start

After Adin Hill started the first two games for Vegas, Ilya Samsonov will make his Golden Knights debut against Anaheim. Samsonov, who joined the team on a one-year deal after spending the last two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, boasts a solid career record of 102-39-21 with a .904 save percentage and 2.76 goals-against average (GAA) over five seasons with the Washington Capitals and Toronto.

Samsonov has been effective in previous outings against the Ducks, holding a 2-0-0 record with a 1.44 GAA and a .952 save percentage. “We want to get both goalies involved,” Cassidy explained, noting that the plan was always for Samsonov to start one of the first three games.

Ducks’ Successful Season Opener

Anaheim was the last NHL team to begin their season, but they started with a 2-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night. Goalie Lukas Dostal made 30 saves, while Isac Lundestrom and Trevor Zegras scored in the third period to secure the win.

A major point of improvement for Anaheim was their penalty kill, which was a weakness last season when they finished second-to-last in the NHL (72.4 percent). They successfully killed off all three of San Jose’s power plays. “We have a little different things going this year… so it worked pretty good,” Lundestrom said after the win.

However, the Ducks’ power play struggled, going 0-for-5 with the man advantage. Improving their power play efficiency will be a key focus for head coach Greg Cronin moving forward.

Goaltending Decisions for Anaheim

Cronin faces a decision regarding who will start in goal against Vegas. While Dostal delivered an excellent performance against the Sharks, Cronin has the option to start veteran James Reimer, who was acquired off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the week.

Trevor Zegras, known primarily for his offensive flair, also showed improvement defensively in the closing minutes of the game against San Jose. When the Sharks pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, Zegras cleared the puck from his own zone and scored into the empty net, a play that gave the Ducks a two-goal cushion.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Ilya Samsonov vs. Anaheim’s Offense

Samsonov will be making his first start for Vegas and will be tasked with keeping Anaheim’s offense at bay. With the Ducks coming off a shutout win and finding some momentum, Samsonov will need to maintain his strong career numbers against Anaheim to give the Golden Knights an edge.

2. Shea Theodore & Alex Pietrangelo vs. Ducks Attackers

The pairing of Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo has been effective in both defensive play and generating offense. Their ability to shut down Anaheim’s key forwards like Trevor Zegras will be crucial in keeping Vegas in control. Look for this duo to limit the Ducks’ opportunities while creating scoring chances for their own team.

3. Anaheim’s Power Play vs. Vegas’ Penalty Kill

Anaheim’s power play struggled in their opener, going 0-for-5. They’ll need to capitalize on their opportunities against a disciplined Vegas team if they hope to secure an upset. On the flip side, Vegas’ penalty kill will aim to continue stifling any Ducks power-play chances.

NHL GAME PREDICTIONS & BETTING TIPS

Game Outlook

Both teams enter this matchup with wins under their belts, but the Golden Knights are clearly the more dominant team so far this season. With a deep roster and a strong defensive core, Vegas will be tough to beat at home, especially as they look to maintain their undefeated start. Anaheim, riding high after a season-opening win, will need a strong defensive effort and improved power-play execution to keep pace with Vegas’ potent offense.

If Samsonov continues his strong form against Anaheim, the Golden Knights should have the edge. Expect a competitive game, but Vegas’ firepower and defensive depth make them the favorites to come out on top and extend their winning streak to three games.