Golden Knights at Ducks
Vegas used five goaltenders in their inaugural 17 games and while Anaheim's injury issues in goal pale in comparison, the Ducks can relate as they prepare to host the Golden Knights on Wednesday in their first meeting. "That's the depth of your organization," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle told reporters. "Goaltending, people would say it's the most critical one. You don't know how important it is until you don't have it.''
The Golden Knights have played their last nine contests without their top three goalies - Marc-Andre Fleury (four games played, out since Oct. 13), Malcolm Subban (three, Oct. 21) and Oscar Dansk (four, Oct. 30), leaving Maxime Lagace to carry the load with Dylan Ferguson even playing 9 minutes, 14 seconds after getting called up from the junior ranks. Remarkably, Vegas continues to thrive and is second in the crowded Pacific Division - one point behind Los Angeles - after winning three of its last four games. The Ducks have been without backup goalie Ryan Miller (lower-body injury) as No. 3 Reto Berra made 40 saves in Monday's 3-2 shootout victory at San Jose for his first NHL victory since Dec. 1, 2015. Anaheim's injuries run deep among its skaters as its top two centers - Ryan Getzlaf (broken cheekbone) and Ryan Kesler (hip) - are out until after Christmas. The Ducks, though, who are riding their first three-game winning streak of the season, welcomed the return of Cam Fowler on Monday when the defenseman played 23 minutes, 25 seconds after missing 12 games with a knee injury.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Las Vegas), FSN Prime (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (12-6-1): William Karlsson continued his torrid pace with two goals in Sunday's 4-2 victory over Los Angeles as he's scored all nine of his goals this season in the past 13 games and five in his last four contests. David Perron (team-high 17 points) had his six-game point streak (two goals, seven assists) snapped Sunday while James Neal (club-most 10 goals) has cooled off after scoring six in the first four contests. Subban (2-0-0, 2.06 goals-against average, .936 save percentage) was activated off injured reserve and served as the backup Sunday as Lagace made his ninth straight start.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (10-7-3): Corey Perry (16 points) is starting to heat up with two points in each of the last three games, including his fourth goal of the season Monday. Rickard Rakell (team highs of eight goals and 18 points) has two goals and two assists in his last three contests after recording one of each Monday. John Gibson (7-6-1, 2.78, .924) is expected back in goal after winning his last two starts and allowing two goals in each of his last three games.
OVERTIME
1. Anaheim is 5-for-13 on the power play in its last five games after going 5-for-47 in the first 15 contests this season.
2. Vegas D Nate Schmidt averages a team-high 22:09 of ice time and is a plus-5 in his last two games.
3. The Ducks have won five of their last six games when playing their third contest in four nights.