Ducks’ Pavel Mintyukov returns to lineup after three-game absence

A young rearguard is set to return to the ice after missing time due to injury.

When speaking to the media, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov revealed that he will be in the lineup when the team faces off with the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.

Mintyukov is expected to jump back on the second pair alongside veteran John Carlson.

Mintyukov has missed the past three games due to a lower-body injury, and has been absent for three of the team’s past four contests due to the ailment. After missing a game against the Edmonton Oilers on March 28, he played against the Toronto Maple Leafs two nights later. The 22-year-old was involved in the chaotic game, getting into a fight with Leafs forward Max Domi.

However, the injury acted up on him, forcing him to miss over a week’s worth of action. In his absence, the Ducks have lost three straight games – falling to the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames – bringing their losing skid to five.

Mintyukov has missed nine games in total so far this season, as he was a healthy scratch periodically during the first half of the campaign. In 68 games, he has scored a career-high eight goals, posting 12 assists and 20 points, a little off his solid rookie season, in which the Russian blueliner registered 28 points in 63 appearances during the 2023-24 season.

Despite the recent slide, the Ducks (41-31-5) are still in the running for the Pacific Division title. With just five games remaining in the regular season, the team sits tied with the Edmonton Oilers for first place, with the Vegas Golden Knights one point back in third.