McTavish has missed the last three games for the Ducks but appears to be nearing a return, likely at some point on their upcoming four-game road trip. Before his injury, McTavish was held without a point in four straight games, recording a -7 plus/minus and six shots on goal.
Dostal will get the start for the first time since November 26th, breaking a run of four consecutive starts for John Gibson. After a strong start to the season, Dostal has struggled of late, registering an ugly .787 SV% across his last three starts, losing all three decisions. He owns an .878 SV% and a 4.30 GAA on the season. Dostal couldn't ask for a better matchup to get back in the win column on Thursday as the Ducks are set to take on the lowly Blackhawks.
Kreider is dealing with a lower-body concern that kept him from practising on Thursday. Kreider has not missed any time but only has two points (1G / 1A) in his last five games and eight shots on goal. He has also seen his hit production decrease significantly this season, averaging only 0.88 hits per game, the least since his rookie season when he averaged 1.57 hits per game.
Husso will take the Wings' crease over for the third time in four games after winning his previous start in a 26 save (.867 SV%) victory vs. Montreal. The 28-year-old goaltender has struggled yet again this season much like he did in 2022-23, with his 8-4-1 record, 3.48 GAA and .891 SV%. He will host the San Jose Sharks, who enjoyed a four-goal comeback victory over the New York Islanders last game but are still last in the NHL in both shots per game (24.9) and goals per game (2.0).
McTavish left Saturday's game against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period with an upper-body injury after playing only 2:33 time-on-ice. McTavish will not travel with the Ducks for their rematch against the Avalanche Tuesday or Chicago the game after. He is having a tremendous season, scoring 21 points (10G / 11A) and 63 shots in 24 games and will be a huge loss for a Ducks team that already struggles offensively, ranking sixth-worst in the league (2.75 GF / GP).
McTavish left Saturday's game against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period with an upper-body injury after playing only 2:33 time-on-ice. McTavish will be a game-time decision Tuesday in the Ducks' rematch against the Avalanche. He is having a tremendous season, scoring 21 points (10G / 11A) and 63 shots in 24 games and would be a huge loss for a Ducks team that already struggles offensively, ranking sixth-worst in the league (2.75 GF / GP).
Husso did not play on Sunday and has mostly served as a backup since the emergence of Alex Lyon, but is coming off his best performance in over a month, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Friday. His terrific performance against the Bruins might be hard to replicate on Wednesday, as the Red Wings are expected to be without Dylan Larkin and are facing off against the New York Rangers, who have only two regulation losses in the last five weeks (13-2-1).
LaCombe will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season on Wednesday as he heads to the press box vs. Montreal for Tristan Luneau. The 22-year-old rookie has enjoyed an up-and-down 2023-24, with three assists, 15 SOG, 12 PIMs, and a -10 plus/minus in 18 games played thus far.
Luneau was not originally set to appear in Wednesday's game vs. Montreal but due to it coming against his hometown club will draw back into the Ducks' lineup. The 19-year-old appeared in two games for the Ducks in October of this season and failed to pick up a point while collecting a SOG and a -1 plus/minus rating.
Karlsson will get the night off Friday vs. Florida as Anaheim continues the 18-year-old's load management plan. The Ducks' star prospect has been sensational in his first NHL season, with six goals, two assists, 23 SOG, four PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 11 games played.
Luneau was originally assigned to San Diego (AHL) for a conditioning loan but has been recalled to Anaheim Friday. The 19-year-old defensemen was Anaheim's 2022 second-round pick (53rd overall) and returns to the NHL where he appeared in two games earlier in the season and failed to pick up a point while averaging 15:28 TOI.
