FSM Essential Preview: Golden Knights vs Ducks- Game 10

The Vegas Golden Knights have looked great against California based teams so far this season and will look to continue that trend tonight on home ice.

VGK opened the 2021 season with their first two games against the Anaheim Ducks, winning both games in regulation. Those first two games were a good indicator of what we have seen from the Golden Knights so far this season.

The first game saw the Knights win in dominating fashion outscoring the Ducks 5-2, assuring fans that the team did not look like it had regressed from last season. Game two played out much differently as the Ducks were in the lead the whole game until Vegas tied the game up with under a minute remaining. They then quickly sealed the deal in three-on-three overtime with a goal from Max Pacioretty just seven seconds into extra time.

Those two games encapsulated what we have seen so far from the Knights: VGK has won in dominating fashion, had multiple come from behind victories, and have looked completely in control of their destiny this season, outside of some setbacks due to COVID-19. Due to the formatting of the season schedule and realignment of the divisions, the Knights will see a ton of familiar faces this year, which has been a good thing so far. Each two-game set feels like a mini playoff series as the stakes are high since only divisional teams play each other until the conference finals. As I have stated multiple times so far this season, the Knights beating the teams they are supposed to beat is paramount to them cementing themselves at the top of the division and the league.

Tonight, they can do just that again as they take on their Southern California neighbors for the third time this season.

The Ducks seem to have built some momentum since they were last at T-Mobile Arena sporting a record of 5-5-3 worth thirteen points in the standings. Yet their goal differential is a -9, which is a good indicator that they are not playing too well overall. After the Ducks win over the Kings last Tuesday, head coach Dallas Eakins described them as still being a team that is in transition and I could not agree more. Their roster is full of young players that most non-Ducks fans have probably never heard of, which is why I still consider them as a team that the Knights should beat.

While the Ducks seem to have gotten better since their last trip to Vegas, the Knights have also improved as shown by their recent success on the powerplay.

Up until a few games ago, the Golden Knights play with the extra man was their only glaring concern that I noticed in their game. That has since changed as they have scored a powerplay goal in their last three games and raised their percentage to 15.6%, good for 21^st place in terms of scoring percentage with the extra man. While that number is not great it is still much better than where they were at and should encourage players and fans alike. Alex Pietrangelo is expected to miss one more game before clearing COVID-19 protocol according to coach Pete DeBoer so unfortunately, we will not be able to see him in action against the Ducks. I expect another strong showing from VGK as they continue their quest of dominating the Honda West Division, hopefully continuing to improve their special teams on the way.

The Vegas Golden Knights will resume play tonight taking on the Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drop is set for 7 p.m. and will be on AT&T SportsNet and FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340.

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-D.J. Wood– Franchise Sports Media

Follow D.J. on Twitter @DJwoody97

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