The Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights faced off in a Christmas Eve showdown on December 24, 2024. The Pacific Division rivals brought intensity to the ice, but the Golden Knights’ experience and offensive prowess secured a 4-2 victory.
Game Recap
Vegas opened the scoring midway through the first period with a power-play goal from Jack Eichel, who finished a sharp pass from Shea Theodore. The Ducks responded early in the second period with a wrist shot from Trevor Zegras to tie the game at 1-1.
The Golden Knights regained momentum with back-to-back goals by Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson in the second period, extending their lead to 3-1. Anaheim fought back in the third period with a goal from Mason McTavish, cutting the deficit to 3-2. However, an empty-net goal by Chandler Stephenson sealed the win for Vegas.
Key Performances
- Vegas Golden Knights:
- Jack Eichel: 1 goal, 1 assist.
- Jonathan Marchessault: 1 goal, 4 shots on goal.
- Adin Hill: 31 saves, .939 save percentage.
- Anaheim Ducks:
- Trevor Zegras: 1 goal, 2 assists.
- Mason McTavish: 1 goal, 3 hits.
- Lukas Dostal: 28 saves, .903 save percentage.
Statistical Highlights
- Shots on Goal:
- Vegas: 32
- Anaheim: 33
- Power Plays:
- Vegas: 1/3
- Anaheim: 0/4
- Faceoff Wins:
- Vegas: 58%
- Anaheim: 42%
Takeaways
- The Golden Knights reinforced their dominance in the Pacific Division with a clinical performance, highlighted by their depth and strong special teams.
- The Ducks showed resilience but failed to capitalize on their power-play opportunities, which proved to be a decisive factor.
Call-to-Action (CTA):
Stay tuned for more NHL action and analysis. Subscribe for game recaps, player spotlights, and insights into your favorite teams and players throughout the season!
