Zegras last played in early January and missed almost six weeks earlier with a lower-body injury he suffered on November 7th. The talented Zegras has been limited to only 20 games in an injury-riddled season, scoring seven points (4G / 3A) in a disappointing season riddled with injuries.
Stalock was recalled to back up Lukas Dostal on Sunday as John Gibson was not available due to personal reasons. The 36-year-old Stalock has spent most of the season in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls, posting a pedestrian 3.72 GAA and .894 SV% in 12 games (1-9-1).
Gibson was not available in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lighting due to personal reasons but was back at practice on Monday. Gibson has struggled between the pipes lately, allowing four or more goals in four straight games (1-3-0), but should return to the crease this week.
Suchanek has spent the 2023-24 season between Anaheim's affiliates in San Diego (AHL) and Tulsa (ECHL) and earned himself a three-year, entry-level contract on Thursday with the Ducks. The 20-year-old undrafted netminder has excelled in San Diego this season, with his 12-6-3 record, 2.56 GAA and .919 SV%.
The Ducks have been outscored 16-2, being shut out three times, during a four-game losing streak and rely on Dostal to tend the twine on Thursday. Dostal has lost three straight games, including his most recent, a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues when he allowed four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%). In a rare occurrence, the Ducks are -117 home favourites entering action against the Chicago Blackhawks.
McTavish has missed two straight and four of the last eight but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. In his last four games, McTavish has zero points, four shots, and seven hits.
The Ducks, losers of six straight, will return to Gibson between the pipes on Tuesday. Gibson has been abysmal lately, allowing six goals in each of his last three starts. The Ducks have been outscored 12-2 in their last three games (0-3-0) and enter action as sizeable +190 road underdogs against a Minnesota Wild club that defeated them 2-0 less than a week ago.
Gibson will be back between the pipes for the Ducks on Friday after Lukas Dostal got the nod in Minnesota on Thursday. Gibson turned in a disappointing performance his last time out, allowing six goals on 26 shots in a 7-2 loss to the Blackhawks on Tuesday. The 11-year-veteran owns a 13-22-2 record on the season and an .893 SV%. Things won't get any easier for him on Friday as the Ducks find themselves as +310 underdogs in Winnipeg.
Gudas suffered the injury in Minnesota on Thursday and was unable to return to the game. William Lagesson will draw into the lineup in place of Gudas.
McTavish was a surprise scratch for Friday's game with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. The Ducks will be forced to dress seven defensemen in his absence.
