Vegas Jumps On Anaheim Early and Often, Take 2-1 Series Lead

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Ducks hosted the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 3 of their series in Anaheim. Lukas Dostal was in net again and Carter Hart went for Vegas.

The Golden Knights scored just over one minute into this contest. Shea Theodore scored on a wrist shot from the right hash marks. Dostal was screened on the play.

The Ducks went on a power play shortly after and didn’t convert. Anaheim got a second power play just before the halfway point of the period and Brayden McNabb scored shorthanded to make it 2-0 Vegas. He scored on Dostal glove side after Anaheim turned over the puck.

Vegas went on the power play after a questionable elbowing call on Jackson LaCombe. Mitch Marner scored in the final seconds of the period to make it a 3-0 lead.

In the second period Ville Husso replaced Dostal to start the period. Marner scored twice to record a natural hat trick. Vegas led 5-0 after two periods.

Beckett Sennecke scored early in the third period to get Anaheim on the board. He got to a rebound before Hart and knocked it into the net.

Chris Kreider then scored with about five left to make it a three goal deficit. He scored in close after getting a pass from Troy Terry.

The Ducks then pulled Husso. Vegas scored into the empty net and won 6-2.

Analysis:

The Ducks gave up a goal in the opening minute and things just went from bad to worse from there. They gave up a shorthanded goal halfway through the period and then another goal in the final seconds of the opening period. This game was similar to Game 5 against Edmonton in Round 1 when they got down 3-0 early and could never recover after that.

After playing one of their best games in the previous contest, the Ducks played their absolute worst in Game 3. Nothing went right for Anaheim early on in this contest. Despite giving up the first goal, the Ducks didn’t get down and had two power play chances to tie the game. Instead Vegas gets a shorty and then carried the momentum. Anaheim needs to figure out the power play ASAP. They have gone 0-for-11 in this series so far.

Dostal gave up a goal on the first shot, that’s the 13th time it’s happened this season. He had a rough period, but so did the Anaheim defense. Husso came in for relief in the second period and he didn’t fair any better. After the game Head Coach Joel Quenneville declined to comment on who he would start in net for Game 4.

The team we saw in the first two games of this series finally showed up in the third period, but it was way too little too late being down 5-0. The Ducks ended up outshooting the Golden Knights 33-28, Vegas blocked 20 shots and won the special teams battle. Marner also dropped three goals in row on Anaheim to put this game away.

This was obviously a terrible game for Anaheim, but remember it is just one game. There are no extra points for blow out wins or shutouts. Each win counts the same. The Ducks had their worst game of the series against the Oilers in Game 5 and then roared back in Game 6 to eliminate them.

I expect Anaheim to answer the call on Sunday. The question is what lineup changes will be made in a critical Game 4 for the Ducks.

Team Notes:

Each time Anaheim has lost a playoff game this postseason they then came back to win the next game.

Teemu Selanne had successful knee surgery last week, but did not attend this game. The Ducks are 3-0 in the playoffs this season when he is in attendance. He is expected to be at Game 4.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Golden Knights Sunday at 6:30 PM.

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, Ducks gear, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

May 9th, 2026