GAMEDAY: Ducks Come Home to Battle Stars
The Anaheim Ducks return to Honda Center tonight to face the Dallas Stars in the first of two back-to-back games. This marks the second meeting between the teams this season, with Anaheim winning the previous clash 7-5 in early November.
The Ducks (20-12-2) enter the match after a mixed road trip, while the Stars (23-7-5) arrive on a two-game winning streak, fresh from a 5-3 victory over the Sharks last night.
Anaheim’s roster sees key changes ahead of the game. Goaltenders John Gibson and Petr Mrazek have both been reactivated, with Gibson returning from injury and Mrazek coming off Injured Reserve. To make room, Ville Husso was reassigned to the AHL’s San Diego team.
The Ducks recently wrapped up a five-game road trip with a 2-2-1 record, including an overtime loss to Columbus on Tuesday. They now turn their focus to Dallas’ special teams, which will be a priority in tonight’s matchup. For the Stars, forward Mikael Granlund will face his former team for the first time since being traded from Anaheim to Dallas. The Stars have momentum after back-to-back wins, including last night’s 5-3 result against San Jose. Tonight’s game starts at 7 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on Victory+ and KCOP-13. Anaheim will play six of its next seven games at home, with only a short trip to face the Kings in Los Angeles breaking the stretch.
The Ducks aim to build on their home advantage as they take on a strong Stars side. With Gibson back in net and Mrazek available, Anaheim’s goaltending depth is restored. Meanwhile, Dallas looks to extend its winning run in a matchup that could set the tone for their upcoming back-to-back games.
