Anaheim Ducks News

Carlsson is expected to occasionally sit out as he acclimates to the NHL and will not be in the Ducks' lineup Tuesday as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. It is a bit of a letdown as fans will have to wait to see the 2023 second-overall pick take on Adam Fentilli (2023 third-overall pick). Carlsson has a goal, six SOG, two PIMs, and a +2 plus/minus in two games thus far in 2023-24 while averaging an impressive 20:16 TOI.

Husso is the likely starter for the red-hot Red Wings on Tuesday. The Red Wings are off to an excellent 5-1-0 start to the season, averaging a league-best 5.00 goals scored per game. Husso hasn't been spectacular, recording a 3.04 GAA and .901 SV% in four games (3-1-0), but has been much better in his last two contests with a 2.50 GAA and .929 SV%. He will look to continue his hot streak tonight as the Red Wings host a Seattle Kraken team that ranks third-worst in the league offensively, averaging only 1.83 goals scored per game.

Gibson will start the second half of Anaheim's back-to-back after Lukas Dostal got the start in Saturday's loss to the Coyotes. Gibson has stopped 55 of the 61 shots he's faced through 2 games and has an 0-2-0 record to go along with a 3.06 GAA to show for it. He'll be in tough to pick up his first win of the season tonight against the Bruins.

The Ducks said the move is not performance based as they are aiming to ease the 18-year-old's workload early in the season. The second overall pick in last summer's NHL Entry Draft has impressed in his two games so far this season. He's scored one goal on six shots on goal and is playing over 20 minutes a night, so it perhaps shouldn't be a surprise that Anaheim is expressing caution by sitting their budding superstar on the tail-end of a back-to-back. Fantasy managers can expect Carlsson to return the lineup for Tuesday's game in Columbus.

Dostal stopped 32 of 35 shots (.914 SV%) for a win in his only start of the season vs. Carolina and will take the crease Saturday in a matinee vs. Arizona. The 23-year-old struggled in his second season last year, going 4-10-3 with a .901 SV% and a 3.02 GAA. He faces the Arizona Coyotes, who are .500 through four games so far in 2023-24, and are 24th in the NHL in goals for per game (2.5).

Harkins was originally acquired off waivers from Winnipeg by Pittsburgh on October 1st but has cleared waivers again and been assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). The 26-year-old winger failed to pick up a point in four games so far in 2023-24 but had four SOG, two PIMs and a -1 plus/miuns.

Fabbri has been plagued with injuries throughout his career and will once again be sidelined for approximately four weeks with a lower-body injury. Thankfully for Fabbri and the Red Wings, the injury is not knee-related, which has been the culprit of most of his injury woes. In his only game this season, Fabbri scored one goal in 14:44 time-on-ice. Andrew Copp has been the biggest benefactor with Fabbri out of the lineup, as he has jumped up to the second line and scored four points (3G / 1A) in those three games.

Husso will get his second consecutive start and look for his third consecutive win on Saturday as the Red Wings face off against the Ottawa Senators. Husso has been far from remarkable this season, posting a 3.37 GAA and .881 SV%, but has still managed a winning record through three starts (2-1-0) thanks in part to the Red Wings' early-season offensive prowess (4.75 GF/GP). Husso and the Red Wings will be put to the test against the Senators as they have been equally difficult to contain offensive, also scoring an average of 4.75 goals per game.

Luneau was Anaheim's 2022 second-round pick (53rd overall) and is set to make his NHL debut Thursday vs. Dallas as he replaces Jamie Drysdale in the Ducks' lineup. The 19-year-old defensemen was not originally returned to Gatineau (QMJHL) as expected to start this season, where he had 20 goals, 63 assists, 31 PIMs and a +49 plus/minus through 65 games in 2022-23.

After serving as backup and watching Lukas Dostal save 32 of 35 shots for the Ducks first victory of the season, Gibson will be back between the pipes on Thursday night. Gibson played well in his only game this season, saving 34 of 37 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite strong showings against the Dallas Stars last season, Gibson and the Ducks will be put to the test as +227 road underdogs. In his two meetings against the Stars last season (1-0-1), Gibson has a 0.96 GAA and .974 SV%.

Karlsson had been forced to miss Anaheim's first two games of the season due to a lower-body injury but will make his debut Thursday vs. Dallas. The 18-year-old forward was the second overall pick in the 2023 draft after watching his stock skyrocket throughout the season. He had 10 goals, 15 assists, six PIMs and a -5 plus/minus in 44 games with Orebro HK (SHL) in 2022-23.

This is a promising sign as Carlsson looks poised to make his NHL debut imminently. Carlsson was the second overall pick for the Ducks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft after scoring 25 points (10G / 15A) as an 18-year-old in the Swedish Hockey League. The talented young center will likely slide into a top-6 role when he is deemed fit to play.

Husso will make his return to the Red Wings crease on Tuesday after witnessing backup James Reimer make a 23-save shutout in their last contest. In his first two games this season (1-1-0), Husso has shown mixed results, recording a 3.57 GAA and .863 SV%. The Red Wings will hope that competition between him and Reimer can inspire him to elevate his game to last year's early season form that saw him record a .922 SV% and three shutouts in his first 13 games (8-2-3). The Red Wings are +110 home underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has outscored opponents 11-6 in their first three games (2-1-0).

Gibson went 14-31-8 with a 3.99 GAA and .899 SV% in 53 games (52 starts) last year. It was the third time in four years that Gibson led the NHL in losses but the first time he allowed over 200 goals in a season. The Ducks should be a little better in front of him this season, but he remains a low-end fantasy option on most nights. Tonight he faces the Golden Knights, who he was 1-2-0 with a 4.75 GAA and .880 SV% last year.

Gibson went 14-31-8 with a 3.99 GAA and .899 SV% in 53 games (52 starts) last year. It was the third time in four years that Gibson led the NHL in losses but the first time he allowed over 200 goals in a season. The Ducks should be a little better in front of him this season, but he remains a low-end fantasy option on most nights. Tonight he faces the Golden Knights, who he was 1-2-0 with a 4.75 GAA and .880 SV% against last year.

Husso is the confirmed starter on Saturday and will look to improve on his season-opening performance, in which he allowed three goals on 26 shots in a 4-3 loss to the high-flying New Jersey Devils. The competition won't get much easier for Husso as he and the Red Wings will face off against last year's eighth-best offence (3.41 goals/GM). In his four games against the Lightning last season (2-2-0), Husso played adequately, recording a 3.02 GAA and .909 SV%.

Fabbri is not expected to be out long-term but will be unavailable on Saturday after suffering an undisclosed injury in the Red Wings' first game of the season. In 14:44 time-on-ice, Fabbri scored a powerplay goal and recorded two shots on goal. Fabbri suited up on the second line alongside JT Compher and Lucas Raymond and could be replaced by Michael Rasmussen in his absence.

Husso is entering his fourth NHL season after posting a 26-22-7 record, .896 SV%, and 3.11 GAA with Detroit in 2022-23 and will be the Red Wings' opening night starter vs. New Jersey. The 28-year-old is entering his second season in Detroit after signing a three-year, $14.5 million deal in the 2021-22 offseason. He draws the tough first task of New Jersey, who finished 2022-23 fifth in both goals for (289) and shots per game (34.4).

Johnston was placed on waivers by the Islanders on Monday and claimed by Anaheim on Tuesday. The 29-year-old bruising left-winger carries an annual cap hit of $1.1 million and is expected to be an intimidating presence in the Ducks bottom-six. He had two assists, 37 PIMs, two SOG, and a -1 plus/minus in 16 games played with the Islanders in 2022-23. He leaves New York after seven seasons, nine goals, 15 assists, and 283 PIMs through 134 career games played.