After extolling the virtues of one of the most complete games the Anaheim Ducks have played all postseason, they promptly fell on their collective faces. The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Ducks by a final score of 6-2 in Game 3 of the second round. While the final score may suggest the Ducks at least tried, the end result was a complete flip on the script on how the series has transpired thus far. With puck drop looming on the horizon for Game 4, here's three changes the Ducks should make to even up the series.
Dostal needs a break
Before all the Ducks fans get mad, just take a breath and calm down. Lukas Dostal has not been good all season. Yes, there have been glimpses of the old Dostal making an appearance, such as the close out game against the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, but by and large, the Ducks number one netminder has been well below average. Game 3 was just a microcosm of Dostal's season and allowing 3 goals on just 8 shots, just isn't going to cut it.
MCNABB WITH THE SHORTHANDED GOAL AND IT'S 2-0 GOLDEN KNIGHTS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Y2tUhr8M2Y
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 9, 2026
While Ville Husso did not perform much better in relief, 2 goals on 19 shots for a .895 save percentage, he at least gave the team a capable option in net. While Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville has been coy about who would start for Game 4, Dostal needs a break to reset. Not only has Dostal started in goal for the most games in his career, but with the Olympics and the postseason, he has been leaned on more heavily than at any other point while with the Ducks. If Husso starts in Game 4 and wins, great, Dostal can still start for Game 5. If Husso loses Game 4, then the Ducks can at least head into Game 5 with a refreshed Dostal and perhaps a better chance of staying in the series.
McTavish has to play
Mason McTavish has been watching from the press box the past two games, as a healthy scratch. While his lack of offensive production might have been warranted for the surprise snubbing, McTavish can be a difference maker. After having the best powerplay in the first round, the Ducks have not scored on any of their 11 opportunities against the Golden Knights with the man advantage. Just the threat of McTavish's one-timer on the powerplay, at least gives the Ducks a different look and another option against Vegas. Plus, the Ducks need more offense, as the end result of Game 3 indicated.
Shakeup the defensive pairs
Full marks to Tyson Hinds and Drew Helleson for the work they have put in so far this postseason run, but a change to the defensive pairs needs to happen. Much in the vein of getting McTavish back in the lineup, the Ducks need more offense. Olen Zellweger has been scratched for far too long and Game 4 would be a great time to get him back in the lineup to get more offensive pop from the blue line. While not entirely sound defensively, Zellweger is more adapt at creating chances off the rush in the offensive zone, something the Ducks desperately need against a more stalwart team like Vegas.
And if Radko Gudas can play, get him in the lineup. Yes, he has had his blunders and doesn't really produce on the scoresheet, but the captain can at least hold his own in the defensive zone, much like Hinds or Helleson. At the very least, Gudas has at least earned the right to go down with the ship, if the series continues to trend that way.
Final thoughts
Quenneville has not been one to stand pat when things have gone awry and expect a different lineup for Game 4. Do not anticipate desperate changes, but a few tweaks, especially to generate more offense, would go a long way into breathing new life into a team that needs a win. The postseason run continues tomorrow night in Anaheim; here's to hoping the Ducks can even the score.
Add us as a preferred source on Google