Cutter Lifts Anaheim Past Vegas In Overtime

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their homestand against the Vegas Golden Knights. Lukas Dostal was in net against Akira Schmid.

Vegas came out strong with two quick goals in the opening five minutes of this contest. Shea Theodore and Braeden Bowman scored just over a minute apart to give Vegas the early 2-0 lead.

Anaheim answered a few minutes later with two goals just 34 seconds apart. Jackson LaCombe scored on a one-timer above the right face-off circle to get the Ducks on the board. Olen Zellweger then scored off a rush from the left circle to tie up the game.

Tomas Hertl put Vegas back ahead with about two minutes left in the period. He deflected a shot past Dostal on the power play. Vegas held a 3-2 advantage after the first period.

Troy Terry tied the game up in the second period with just over six minutes left to go. Terry beat Schmid over the shoulder a 2-on-1 rush with Leo Carlsson to even the score at three.

There was no scoring in the third period and bonus hockey would be needed to determine a winner.

In overtime the teams traded chances and the Ducks would be the team to eventually score. Mitch Marner had the puck behind the Vegas net and he fumbled it away to Cutter Gauthier in the slot. Cutter got the puck turned and fired it past Schmid for the game winner.

Analysis:

The Ducks had a rough start giving up two goals early on and three total in the first period. Anaheim did fight back to even the game at two before finding themselves down by a goal at the end of the period. The Ducks were able to get the tying goal in the second period and then forced overtime. Anaheim could have panicked in the early moments of this game, but they stayed calm and fought back.

In the first period, Vegas outshot Anaheim 11 to 6 and then the Ducks flipped the script in the second period with a 13 to 8 shot on goal advantage. The teams played an evenly matched third period. In overtime the Ducks controlled the play and got rewarded with a mistake by Marner.

Vegas won the special teams battle. The Golden Knights scored once in four power play attempts. The Ducks had two power plays, but couldn’t convert. Anaheim still needs to work on staying out of the box. Drew Helleson was called for closing his hand on the puck in the first period and Vegas scored on the power play. It gave Vegas back the lead at the end of the first period, but Anaheim was able to come and win.

Gauthier had the game winning goal and an assist in this contest. Terry also had a goal and an assist. LaCombe had his best game of the season with a goal and two assists. He also saved a possible goal by clearing the puck out of the crease or else Vegas might have had an easy tap in score.

Dostal had a rough start in the opening minutes of this contest, but then he settled in. He gave up three goals in the first period, but then shutout Vegas the rest of the way.

Team Notes/Stats:

Gauthier tied Paul Kariya, Trevor Zegras, and Leo Carlsson for most overtime goals before the age of 22 in Ducks history.

The Ducks are 2-0-0 against the Golden Knights.

Anaheim stays in first place with the win and now lead Vegas by two points.

Anaheim is 5-0-0 at home this season when I have been in attendance.

What’s Next?

The Ducks will host the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday at 7PM.

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Nov 22nd, 2025