Ducks vs. Golden Knights preview: 2 huge goalie questions

Dustin Judge
Ducks vs. Golden Knights preview: Beckett Sennecke steals the puck from Vegas in a 2026 playoff game

This Ducks vs. Golden Knights preview covers the 2026-27 opener for Anaheim, which visits Vegas on Friday, Oct. 2, at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights are 1-0-0 after a 5-2 win over Chicago on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and the teams met in the second round of last season’s playoffs.

Ducks vs. Golden Knights preview: game information

  • Date: Friday, Oct. 2
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)
  • Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
  • TV: Prime Video and KCOP-13 for Anaheim; Scripps Sports for Vegas (local markets), per Inside the Rink

Why this Ducks opener matters

Vegas beat Anaheim 4-2 in last season’s second round, clinching with a 5-1 win in Game 6 on May 14, according to Bleacher Report. Anaheim had not been in the playoffs since 2018 before that run, and Joel Quenneville is back behind the bench.

The Ducks announced a 25-player opening roster of 16 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies, with seven players age 22 or younger, according to NHL.com. Troy Terry is out after hip surgery, and defenseman Ian Moore is on injured reserve. Lukas Dostal or Ville Husso could start in goal.

Golden Knights outlook

Jack Eichel had a goal and two assists in the opener, reaching 700 career points, and Trevor Connelly scored in his NHL debut, per the Golden Knights’ recap. Ryan Craig earned his first win as head coach; he is one of six new NHL coaches this season.

Carter Hart made 24 saves in the opener and could start again, though Adin Hill is also listed. Defenseman Lukas Cormier is on injured reserve and forward Raphael Lavoie is day-to-day.

What to watch

In this Ducks vs. Golden Knights preview, the key question is how Anaheim’s young group handles a loud building against a team that reached the Stanley Cup Final. Vegas, meanwhile, is working through changes, including the offseason trade of Pavel Dorofeyev to the Rangers and William Karlsson’s extension.

Ducks vs. Golden Knights preview sources: Inside the Rink, NHL.com, ABC News (AP) and Bleacher Report.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.