Anaheim Ducks Face a Demanding Week as Goaltending Questions Loom

Leo Carlsson skating in warm‑up / Pwinger / Wikimedia Commons

Written by Gina Anton

The Anaheim Ducks are staring down one of their most demanding stretches of the season—a four-game slate packed into seven days, including a tough back-to-back set that will test the team’s depth, structure, and stamina. For a club still shaping its identity under a developing core, the timing is far from ideal: their goaltending situation remains in flux, with their goalie Lukas Dostal sidelined for 2–3 weeks.

Goalie Outlook

What happens in the crease over the next several games may determine how well the Ducks survive the upcoming grind.

The absence of a regular starter forces Anaheim into an uncomfortable but unavoidable situation. The Ducks will need to lean heavily on their remaining netminder(s), likely demanding more starts than they would prefer in such a condensed schedule. Managing fatigue, especially during the back-to-back games, becomes more than a coaching decision but a strategic puzzle.

Expect Anaheim to cycle in their backup or a recent call-up at least once, even if the coaching staff would rather ride the hotter hand. Overworking a goalie in early December can have ripple effects well into the season, and the Ducks know it.

Defense Must Shoulder the Weight

With the crease uncertain, Anaheim’s blue line will be under an even brighter spotlight. The Ducks’ defensive group must play tighter, cleaner hockey to protect whoever starts. That means limiting high-danger chances, staying disciplined, and avoiding the kind of costly turnovers that have burned them in previous stretches.

If Anaheim can keep shot quality down, even if it isn’t perfect, they’ll give themselves a fighting chance every night.

Forward Group Needs to Help at Both Ends

The Ducks’ young forwards like Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish have shown flashes of immense talent this season, but sustained pressure and responsible backchecking will be essential during a week like this. Neutral-zone structure, puck support, and smart line changes will go a long way toward easing the burden on the defensive group and the patchwork goaltending setup behind them.

This is the kind of week where details will win games.

A Chance to Prove Resilience

Despite the challenges, a jam-packed week also presents an opportunity. Good teams often reveal themselves during adversity, and with four games on tap, Anaheim can quickly find rhythm and confidence if they start strong.

The next seven days won’t decide the Ducks’ season, but they may demonstrate just how prepared this group is to handle quick changes in their roster. With a compromised crease and little rest ahead, Anaheim’s response will speak volumes about their growth, their identity, and their long-term trajectory.