The Anaheim Ducks, preparing to host the Carolina Hurricanes on March 23, 2025, at the Honda Center, are navigating a transformative period focused on rebuilding and development, aiming to blend emerging talent with seasoned experience to re-establish themselves as contenders in the NHL. Under the strategic direction of head coach Greg Cronin, the Ducks have embraced a youth movement, with dynamic forward Trevor Zegras at the forefront. Zegras’s exceptional vision and creativity have not only made him a fan favorite but also a central figure in Anaheim’s offensive strategies, often orchestrating plays that showcase his flair and hockey intelligence. Alongside him, Mason McTavish has emerged as a versatile forward, contributing significantly with his scoring touch and adaptability across various line combinations. The synergy between these young stars has injected energy and optimism into the team’s future prospects. Complementing the youthful core, veteran defenseman Cam Fowler provides stability and leadership on the blue line. Fowler’s experience and calm under pressure have been instrumental in mentoring younger defensemen, ensuring a balanced defensive approach. In goal, John Gibson remains a pivotal figure, his athleticism and resilience often serving as the backbone of the team’s defensive efforts. Despite facing high shot volumes, Gibson’s performances have kept the Ducks competitive, highlighting his importance to the squad. The Ducks’ special teams have been a focal point for improvement. The power play has shown intermittent success, with Zegras and Mc Tavish serving as key facilitators, but inconsistency in puck movement and net-front presence has limited their conversion rate against stronger defensive units. The penalty kill, meanwhile, has seen incremental progress but remains vulnerable to aggressive puck cycling and skilled shooting teams like the Hurricanes, who excel at exploiting open seams and forcing defenders out of position.

Anaheim’s overall style of play has leaned into high-tempo hockey, leveraging the speed and agility of their younger forwards to create odd-man rushes and scoring opportunities off turnovers, though this approach has occasionally backfired when structural discipline is sacrificed for pace, leading to defensive breakdowns and extended time in their own zone. One of the bright spots in Anaheim’s campaign has been the emergence of rookie defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, whose confidence with the puck and willingness to join the rush adds another offensive layer to the Ducks’ blue line, helping to stretch opposing defenses and keep them honest in transition. Additionally, the physicality brought by players like Radko Gudas and Max Jones has allowed Anaheim to maintain a degree of pushback against more experienced and imposing rosters, providing a necessary grit factor that rounds out their lineup. As they face off against Carolina, the Ducks will need to be sharp in all three zones, limiting turnovers at the blue lines, breaking out cleanly under forecheck pressure, and maintaining strong puck support to prevent Carolina’s suffocating system from taking hold. Playing on home ice, Anaheim will look to their crowd for energy early, hoping to set the tone with a fast-paced opening period that forces Carolina to defend in transition rather than dictate tempo through sustained zone time. Coach Cronin will likely emphasize the importance of discipline—both in terms of penalties and positioning—as the Hurricanes are lethal when given space on the power play or allowed to operate freely in the offensive zone. For the Ducks to pull off an upset, they’ll need John Gibson to deliver a stellar performance, special teams to execute flawlessly, and the young stars to step up and produce in big moments, proving they can match up against one of the league’s most complete and structured teams. While Anaheim’s season has not been one defined by wins, it has been rich in development, as the organization continues to identify foundational pieces, build chemistry, and lay the groundwork for a more competitive future. Sunday’s matchup against the Hurricanes offers a valuable measuring stick, not only for individual growth but for the team’s ability to rise to the challenge against elite competition. Should the Ducks manage to stay within their structure, capitalize on key opportunities, and get strong goaltending, they’ll have a legitimate chance to make a statement at home—and potentially spark momentum as they close out the regular season with their young core gaining confidence and experience in meaningful minutes against playoff-bound opponents.