Ducks Face Off Against Wild: Gameday Preview (02/01/26)
The Anaheim Ducks will host the Minnesota Wild in their final match of a three-game homestand. This matchup occurs on February 1, 2026, following recent overtime losses for both teams.
Ducks vs. Wild: Recent Performances
The Ducks suffered a 4-3 overtime defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning in their latest outing. They have only garnered six points in their past ten games, reflecting ongoing struggles in both scoring and defense. Troy Terry expressed concerns about the team’s inability to outscore mistakes, noting mental lapses that have led to opponents capitalizing on their errors.
Meanwhile, the Wild also faced a setback, losing 4-3 to the San Jose Sharks in their previous match. Wild head coach John Hynes acknowledged the Ducks as a formidable opponent, highlighting their skating and puck movement.
Coaching Perspectives
Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville commented on the team’s need for diligence during their losing streak. He noted that stretches like this are part of a season and that persistence is key to overcoming challenges.
Key Players to Watch
This game marks the Ducks’ first encounter with the Wild since they acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes. Hughes has made an impact, totaling seven points in nine games and averaging over 27 minutes of ice time as part of the Wild’s top defensive pair. Quenneville remarked on Hughes’s ability to enhance their defensive game and create offensive opportunities.
On the Ducks’ side, key projected players include:
- Cutter Gauthier
- Leo Carlsson
- Troy Terry
For the Wild, notable projected players are:
- Kirill Kaprizov
- Mats Zuccarello
- Quinn Hughes
Olympic Selections
Recent Olympic announcements revealed that Leo Carlsson and Mikael Granlund made their respective national teams for Sweden and Finland. This brings the Ducks’ total representation to five Olympians, including captain Radko Gudas and goaltender Lukáš Dostál, who also represents Czechia.
Projected Lineups
The anticipated lineups for the game are as follows:
| Ducks | Wild |
|---|---|
| Cutter Gauthier – Leo Carlsson – Alex Killorn | Kirill Kaprizov – Danila Yurov – Mats Zuccarello |
| Chris Kreider – Mason McTavish – Beckett Sennecke | Marcus Johansson – Joel Eriksson Ek – Matt Boldy |
| Nikita Nesterenko – Mikael Granlund – Troy Terry | Vinnie Hinostroza – Ryan Hartman – Vladimir Tarasenko |
| Ross Johnston – Ryan Poehling – Jansen Harkins | Marcus Foligno – Nico Sturm – Yakov Trenin |
| Jackson LaCombe – Jacob Trouba | Quinn Hughes – Brock Faber |
| Pavel Mintyukov – Ian Moore | Jonas Brodin – Jared Spurgeon |
| Olen Zellweger – Radko Gudas | Jacob Middleton – Zach Bogosian |
| Lukáš Dostál (confirmed) | Filip Gustavsson (confirmed) |
The Ducks will look to overcome their recent struggles in this Gameday matchup against the Wild, who have proven to be a strong adversary this season.
