Vaakanainen has appeared in 65 games this season for Anaheim but will head to the press box on Friday as he is replaced by Radko Gudas, who is returning from injury. The 25-year-old played in 68 career NHL games across six separate seasons before sticking with the Ducks this year and has taken a massive step forward with his 14 points (1G/13A), 66 SOG and 26 PIMs in 65 games in 2023-24.
Anaheim Ducks News
McTavish scored a goal before exiting Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames with only 6:32 of ice time due to a lower-body injury. McTavish had goals in back-to-back games after being held without a point for 10 straight.
Gudas has not played since March 14th, missing 10 games, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Seattle Kraken. The heavy-hitting defenseman has 16 points (6G / 10A), 208 hits, and 142 blocks in 60 games this season.
Nesterenko was the sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old played nine games with the Ducks last season and has 33 points (15G / 18A) in 63 games with the San Diego Gulls (AHL).
The Ducks will turn to Dostal between the pipes for his third straight game. Dostal has allowed three or more goals in four straight (1-2-1), but was victorious in his last outing, saving 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames. The Ducks enter action as +152 home underdogs against a Seattle Kraken club that shut them out 4-0 on March 26th.
Nesterenko was the sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old played nine games with the Ducks last season and has 33 points (15G / 18A) in 63 games with the San Diego Gulls (AHL).
Mintyukov has not played the last two games for the Ducks and could be at risk of missing a third after not participating in practice on Friday. The 20-year-old Mintyukov has 28 points (4G / 24A), 88 shots, and 84 hits in 63 games this season.
Pitre was the 65th overall pick of the Ducks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward has enjoyed a productive third season with the Flint Firebirds (OHL), scoring 55 points (27G / 28A) in 55 games.
Sidorov was the 85th overall pick of the Ducks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward has 88 points (50G / 38A) in 66 games with the Saskatoon Blades (WHL) this season.
McTavish scored a goal before exiting Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames with only 6:32 of ice time due to a lower-body injury. McTavish has goals in back-to-back games after being held without a point for 10 straight.
Johnston will draw right back into the Ducks' lineup after sitting out Sunday's game in Vancouver. Bo Groulx will sit in his place.
Groulx will take a seat on Tuesday as Ross Johnston draws back into the Ducks' lineup. Groulx has no goals and two assists in 43 games this season.
The Ducks have favoured Dostal between the pipes lately and will turn to him for the third time in the last four games as they attempt to snap their five-game losing skid. Considering the Ducks' recent offensive woes, Dostal has performed reasonably for the Ducks lately, posting a .907 SV% in his last six outings (1-4-1). That said, the Ducks enter action on Tuesday as sizeable +205 road underdogs against the Calgary Flames.
Myatovic was drafted by Anaheim in the 2023 second round (33rd overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday and will join San Diego (AHL) for the remainder of the season. The 19-year-old left-winger just completed his fourth junior season with the Seattle Thunderbirds (AHL) and had nine goals, 30 points and 20 PIMs in 34 games played.