The Anaheim Ducks are getting some much-needed reinforcements ahead of Friday’s clash with the rival Los Angeles Kings. Forwards Cutter Gauthier and Troy Terry are set to rejoin the lineup, while veteran winger Chris Kreider remains a game-time decision as he battles an illness.
Let’s start with Terry, because his return is a big deal for Anaheim. The 26-year-old winger had missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, and while the team never disclosed specifics, he was listed as day-to-day throughout his absence.
The Ducks clearly felt his absence - they dropped two of those three games, extending what became a brutal nine-game losing streak. But in the final game without him, Anaheim finally snapped the skid with a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars.
Terry has been the Ducks’ most consistent offensive weapon this season, and the numbers back it up. With 13 goals and 29 assists through 43 games, he’s already at 42 points - putting him on pace for a career-best 77.
That would comfortably eclipse his previous high of 67 points back in the 2021-22 season. He’s been the engine of Anaheim’s offense, and getting him back in the lineup gives the Ducks a much-needed jolt as they try to claw their way back into the playoff picture.
Cutter Gauthier, meanwhile, returns after missing just one game due to illness. The rookie has been one of the brightest surprises for Anaheim this season.
With 20 goals and 20 assists, he’s already hit the 40-point mark - a strong showing for a first-year player. That said, he’s cooled off a bit lately, tallying just four points over his last 12 games.
Still, his presence in the lineup adds scoring depth and energy, especially against a physical Kings team.
As for Kreider, he’s dealing with an illness that could keep him out of Friday’s matchup. He’s been in this spot before - he missed four games earlier this season under similar circumstances.
Like Gauthier, Kreider came out of the gates hot but has since leveled off, with 15 goals and 10 assists through 42 games. If he’s able to go, he’ll bring veteran experience and a net-front presence that the Ducks can use against a stingy Kings defense.
At Thursday’s practice, line rushes gave us a preview of what the Ducks might roll out on Friday. Gauthier and Terry were both skating on the third line alongside Ryan Poehling - an intriguing trio that could give Anaheim some sneaky offensive punch in the middle six.
With the Ducks using an 11-forward, seven-defensemen look in Tuesday’s win, it looks like Nikita Nesterenko and Ian Moore are the odd men out for now. However, if Kreider can’t suit up, one of them could slide back in.
Anaheim enters Friday’s game sitting sixth in the Pacific Division with a 22-21-3 record. They’re four points back of the San Jose Sharks for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference - close enough that every game matters, especially against division rivals. The win over Dallas was a step in the right direction, but if the Ducks want to stay in the playoff hunt, they’ll need to string together more than just one solid performance.
Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. PST in Los Angeles, and with Terry and Gauthier back in the mix, Anaheim’s lineup is looking a lot more dangerous. Now it’s just a matter of whether they can turn that into results.