Ducks Face Goalkeeping Challenge Against Utah Mammoth

The Anaheim Ducks are preparing to host the Utah Mammoth on March 15, 2024, facing a challenging situation in goal. With starting goaltender Lukáš Dostál sidelined due to a shoulder injury and Petr Mrázek sustaining an injury during a recent 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Ducks’ depth in goal is being tested. In Mrázek’s absence, veteran netminder Ville Husso stepped in, earning a solid 4-1 victory against his former team, the St. Louis Blues.

Husso, alongside recalled goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets, will take center stage as the Ducks look to build on their previous encounter with the Mammoth, where they secured a tight 3-2 overtime win on November 17. Dostál has been instrumental in the Ducks’ success this season, contributing to 11 of the team’s 16 victories. Meanwhile, Husso has posted a commendable record of 2-1-0 since joining the roster.

“It’s huge to have all the goalies giving us a chance to win any night,” Radko Gudas, the Ducks’ captain, stated after the win against St. Louis. “Husso was standing on his head, and he was a big reason why we won.” Gudas also highlighted the impact of rookie defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, who recorded his first multipoint game of the season, contributing significantly to the team’s performance.

Mintyukov has shown resilience after being a healthy scratch in three consecutive games. He logged a season-high 21:15 of ice time in his return and has since tallied two goals and three points. “He’s feeling better and better since he stepped back in,” Gudas noted about the 2022 first-round draft pick. “He wants to be in the lineup every night and play important minutes.”

In terms of special teams, the Ducks adjusted their penalty-killing strategy during the recent game, shifting their top offensive players. This led to marginal minutes for key forwards Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, and Troy Terry. Coach Joel Quenneville remarked on the new penalty-killing units, stating, “We got through some kills. They had some good looks, but there were some good things.”

The Utah Mammoth, coming off their own challenges, have welcomed back defenseman Sean Durzi. They faced a scare when leading scorer Logan Cooley left a recent game against St. Louis after a knee-on-knee hit. Fortunately, Cooley returned to play against San Jose after being diagnosed with a quad contusion, alleviating fears of a more severe injury.

The matchup at the Honda Center is set for 19:00 local time, promising an intense contest as both teams vie for crucial points in the standings. The Ducks hope to leverage their home-ice advantage and solidify their playoff ambitions while testing their goaltending depth.