Projected lineup for Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks November 22 2025

The Pacific Division showdown at Honda Center on Saturday evening brings two contrasting narratives into sharp focus. The Golden Knights arrive in Anaheim riding a five-game point streak, having steadied their season after early stumbles, while the Ducks look to rebound from a Thursday loss to Ottawa that snapped their modest two-game winning streak. With Vegas sitting at 10-4-6 and Anaheim holding a slight edge at 13-7-1, every point matters in the increasingly competitive division race.

This matchup marks the second meeting between these clubs in November, with the Ducks having claimed a 4-3 victory in the first encounter on November 8th. The projected lineups reveal significant changes for both squads, as injuries and tactical adjustments force coaching staffs to shuffle their decks. Fans can watch on Victory+ or ESPN+ as these rivals battle for critical divisional positioning.

Vegas Golden Knights projected lineup breakdown

The Golden Knights enter this contest having won their second straight against the Mammoth on Thursday, a 4-1 victory that showcased their improving defensive structure. Bruce Cassidy’s system is beginning to click, with the team averaging 3.2 goals per game during their point streak while surrendering just 2.2 against. The challenge now is maintaining that momentum on the road against a Ducks team that has proven dangerous at Honda Center.

Forward lines and chemistry concerns

Vegas rolls out a top-six configuration that leans heavily on new acquisitions and emerging talent. Ivan Barbashev centers the first line between Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner, creating a unit that combines two superstars with a versatile two-way presence. This trio has shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency remains the watchword as they build chemistry mid-season. Eichel’s playmaking ability pairs intriguingly with Marner’s elite vision, while Barbashev’s north-south game should create space for his high-skill linemates.

The second line presents an interesting combination of emerging power and veteran stability. Pavel Dorofeyev, the team’s leading goal scorer from the previous season, flanks Tomáš Hertl on the left wing, with Brandon Saad completing the unit on the right side. Dorofeyev’s absence in the playoffs last year exposed how crucial his scoring touch has become to Vegas’s depth. Hertl provides the responsible two-way presence down the middle, while Saad’s championship experience adds a calming influence. This line has the potential to be among the NHL’s most productive second units, with all three players capable of eclipsing 50 points.

The bottom six features Brandon Saad—wait, he’s on the second line in this configuration. Let me correct that based on the official NHL.com projection. The third line consists of Brandon Saad at center between Brett Howden and Reilly Smith, giving Cassidy a defensively responsible unit that can still generate offense. Saad’s versatility allows him to pivot effectively, though this represents a departure from his typical wing deployment.

The fourth line brings energy and physicality with Cole Reinhardt, Colton Sissons, and Keegan Kolesar. Sissons, acquired from Nashville in the offseason, has quickly adapted to Cassidy’s system, providing reliable penalty killing and faceoff stability. Kolesar’s physical presence and Reinhardt’s emerging two-way game make this a classic Golden Knights energy line that can tilt ice with momentum shifts.

Defensive pairings under pressure

The blue line tells a story of adaptation and elevated responsibility. Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore anchor the top pair, a duo thrust into primary shutdown duty following Alex Pietrangelo’s injury. Theodore’s offensive instincts from the back end have never been more critical, while McNabb’s steady defensive zone coverage provides the foundation. At 35 years old, McNabb is being asked to play top-pairing minutes for the first time in his Vegas tenure, a challenge he has met with characteristic work ethic.

Noah Hanifin partners with Zach Whitecloud on the second unit, both players seeing increased responsibilities due to injuries ahead of them on the depth chart. Whitecloud’s evolution from third-pair specialist to top-four defenseman represents one of the season’s quieter success stories. His physical play and improving puck movement complement Hanifin’s smooth skating and outlet passing. This pair must contend with Anaheim’s top six, which features multiple game-breakers.

The third pairing of Ben Hutton and Kaedan Korczak provides stability and development opportunity. Korczak, the 24-year-old signed to a four-year extension, continues rounding out his game after posting 10 points in 40 games last season. Hutton’s veteran presence helps shelter the younger defender while providing penalty kill reliability. This pairing sees third-period deployment in protected situations, though Cassidy isn’t afraid to use them against Anaheim’s depth forwards.

Goaltending rotation continues

In goal, Akira Schmid gets the start following Adin Hill’s lower-body injury. Schmid’s numbers with Henderson last season didn’t inspire confidence—nine wins in 30 games with a 3.58 GAA—but Cassidy has expressed belief in the 25-year-old’s ability to manage games. His focus Saturday will be on controlling rebounds against a Ducks forecheck that thrives on second chances. Carl Lindbom serves as backup, providing organizational depth as he adjusts to North American hockey.

Anaheim Ducks projected lineup analysis

The Ducks bring a youthful but increasingly confident group into this divisional clash. After surprising many with their strong start, Anaheim’s 13-7-1 record reflects genuine progress under head coach Joel Quenneville’s system. Their last meeting with Vegas saw Leo Carlsson dominate with a three-point performance, establishing a template for how Anaheim wants to attack the Golden Knights’ structured defensive scheme.

Reloaded forward groups

Anaheim’s top line underwent a significant makeover during Saturday’s morning skate. Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke moved up alongside Leo Carlsson, creating a trio of elite prospects and emerging stars. This represents a bold strategic choice by Quenneville, placing offensive upside ahead of veteran stability. Carlsson’s vision and playmaking ability make him the engine of this unit, while Gauthier’s shot and Sennecke’s creative flair provide multiple attack vectors. The Golden Knights must respect this line’s speed through the neutral zone.

The reconfigured second line features Chris Kreider and Troy Terry flanking Mason McTavish, moving down from the top unit after the morning skate adjustments. This line balances veteran scoring punch with youthful exuberance. Kreider’s net-front presence and Terry’s sniping ability bookend McTavish’s complete 200-foot game. During the Ducks’ recent win streak, this combination displayed excellent puck retrieval and sustained offensive zone pressure. Vegas’s Hanifin-Whitecloud pair will likely draw this assignment.

The third line of Frank Vatrano, Ryan Strome, and Alex Killorn represents Anaheim’s shutdown unit with offensive upside. Strome’s defensive awareness and faceoff proficiency allow Killorn and Vatrano to take calculated offensive risks. This trio matches up well against Vegas’s third line, potentially creating a stalemate that forces the game to be decided by the top-six talent. Vatrano’s speed on the wing could exploit mismatches against slower Vegas defenders.

Ross Johnston, Jansen Harkins, and Nikita Nesterenko round out the forward group as a physical energy line. Johnston’s heavy game and Nesterenko’s developing skill set give this unit more than just bump-and-grind capability. They will see regular shifts against Vegas’s fourth line, with their performance often determining which team controls the momentum in the second period.

Blue line stability and growth

Anaheim’s defense corps has evolved into a strength, led by the pairing of Jackson LaCombe and Drew Helleson. LaCombe’s smooth skating and ability to start the transition game give the Ducks a modern mobile defender who can play heavy minutes. Helleson’s physical development and improving defensive reads have solidified his role as LaCombe’s reliable partner. Together, they will be tasked with containing the Eichel-Marner connection.

The second pair features Olen Zellweger and Jacob Trouba, a blend of offensive creativity and defensive grit. Zellweger’s power play quarterback abilities make him a focal point of Anaheim’s special teams, while Trouba’s veteran presence and physical style provide the backbone. Trouba’s experience in playoff-style hockey will be invaluable against Vegas’s forechecking pressure. Zellweger must make quick decisions to avoid turnovers that Vegas can convert into odd-man rushes.

Pavel Mintyukov returns after three games as a healthy scratch, replacing Ian Moore alongside Radko Gudas. This move adds offensive spark to the third pair, as Mintyukov’s skating and puck skills create chances from the back end. Gudas provides the physical deterrent and penalty killing reliability. Moore’s scratch illustrates Anaheim’s depth on defense and Quenneville’s willingness to adjust based on matchup requirements.

Ducks’ goaltending plans

Lukas Dostal gets the nod in net, backed up by veteran Petr Mrazek. Dostal’s emergence as the starter represents one of the season’s most pleasant surprises for Anaheim management. His positioning and rebound control have improved dramatically, though he’ll be tested by Vegas’s high-volume shooting approach. Dostal’s performance against top competition will determine whether Anaheim can sustain their playoff positioning through the winter months.

Key matchups and tactical battles

Several individual matchups will likely decide Saturday’s outcome beyond the obvious team strategies. The battle between Vegas’s top line and Anaheim’s shutdown defensive pair of Zellweger-Trouba carries enormous weight. If Eichel and Marner find space to operate, the Ducks will be forced to adjust their entire defensive structure, potentially opening opportunities for Vegas’s secondary scorers.

The special teams battle features interesting contrasts. Vegas’s power play, anchored by Theodore’s point shot and Marner’s distribution, faces an Anaheim penalty kill that has been aggressive and structured under Quenneville. Conversely, the Ducks’ power play, driven by Carlsson’s creativity and Zellweger’s mobility, must solve a Golden Knights kill that relies on Sissons’ faceoff work and Kolesar’s physicality. Saturday’s game could turn on which team converts their limited opportunities.

The battle of the third lines also merits attention. Vegas’s Saad-Howden-Smith combination against Anaheim’s Vatrano-Strome-Killorn represents a clash of philosophies. The Golden Knights prioritize a responsible two-way game that transitions quickly to offense, while the Ducks employ a more traditional shutdown approach with their veteran trio. Whichever line controls the shot share in their limited minutes gives their team a crucial advantage in depth scoring.

Injury report and roster implications

The Golden Knights injury situation has become a defining story of their season. Adin Hill’s lower-body injury forces Schmid into his most significant NHL action to date, while William Karlsson’s absence removes a key penalty killer and faceoff specialist from the bottom six. Mark Stone’s upper-body injury and Jeremy Lauzon’s undisclosed issue further deplete depth, forcing Cassidy to rely on younger players in high-leverage situations. The team has placed five regulars on injured reserve, testing organizational depth significantly.

Anaheim’s injury report presents a more optimistic picture. Ryan Poehling skated Saturday morning for the first time since his November 11th injury, though Quenneville confirmed he won’t return until next weekend at the earliest. Mikael Granlund’s lower-body injury continues to keep him day-to-day, though his absence has allowed younger forwards like Nesterenko to gain valuable experience. The Ducks’ relative health compared to Vegas gives them a depth advantage that could prove decisive in the third period as legs tire.

The scratched players also tell a story of roster competition. Alexander Holtz sits for Vegas despite showing offensive flashes, as Cassidy prioritizes the steadier Reinhardt for this matchup. Moore’s scratch for Anaheim allows Mintyukov to showcase his offensive toolkit against a depleted Vegas defense. These decisions reflect coaching philosophies about reliability versus upside in divisional games.

Pacific Division playoff implications and what comes next

Saturday’s result carries weight beyond the immediate two points in the standings. With both clubs currently in playoff position—Anaheim second in the Pacific with 27 points, Vegas holding the first wild card at 26—this early-season meeting establishes a psychological edge that could persist through the spring months. Divisional games count double in the standings race, and dropped points in November create pressure in March.

The Golden Knights’ November schedule continues with a home date against surging Seattle on Monday, followed by a crucial Central Division road trip. How Schmid performs in place of Hill against Anaheim may determine whether Vegas promotes Carl Lindbom from Henderson or explores the trade market for veteran insurance. The front office faces difficult cap decisions as injured players approach return timelines.

Anaheim’s upcoming slate features a challenging three-game road trip through Western Canada, making Saturday’s home points essential. The development of their young core—particularly Carlsson, Gauthier, and Zellweger—takes precedence over short-term results, but Quenneville’s veteran additions like Kreider and Trouba provide the leadership necessary to compete now. This balance between present competitiveness and future growth defines Anaheim’s promising season.

The last meeting between these clubs provided fireworks, with Carlsson’s three-point masterpiece establishing his star potential. Vegas will adjust their coverage schemes to neutralize him, potentially opening space for Anaheim’s secondary scorers like Terry and Vatrano. The chess match between Cassidy’s structured approach and Quenneville’s adaptive system should entertain even casual observers.

For betting enthusiasts, the total has settled around 5.5 goals, reflecting both teams’ recent defensive improvements despite their offensive talent. The money line favors Anaheim slightly given their home ice and Vegas’s injury issues, but the Golden Knights’ experience in close games provides value for those backing the visitors. Special teams efficiency will likely determine whether the game stays under the total, as both power plays face stern penalty kill tests.

Saturday’s game represents an important milestone in both teams’ seasons. For Vegas, it’s about proving their system works even without key personnel. For Anaheim, it’s validating that their rebuild has progressed faster than expected. The projected lineups suggest a close, tactical affair decided by which team’s depth steps up when the stars cancel each other out. With Pacific Division standings so tightly packed, every point matters—and both clubs know it.