Theodore Scores Twice as Golden Knights Defeat Ducks 4-1; Anaheim Loses Zegras to Injury

Angelo Apuli
Angelo Apuli
3 Min Read
Dec 4, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) controls the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images

Shea Theodore tallied two goals, and the Vegas Golden Knights secured a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night. Anaheim’s struggles worsened with Trevor Zegras leaving the game due to a potentially significant lower-body injury.

William Karlsson and Alexander Holtz also scored for the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights, while Ilya Samsonov made 19 saves. Vegas improved to 8-1-1 against division opponents and has defeated Anaheim in all three meetings this season.

Jackson LaCombe scored the lone goal for the Ducks, with John Gibson making 30 saves in the loss.

Game Highlights

Karlsson scored late in the first period with his fifth goal. The Swede, originally drafted by Anaheim before being traded to Columbus a decade ago, now has 16 goals and 27 points in 37 career games against his former team.

Theodore, another former Ducks draft pick sent to Vegas in a notable expansion draft deal, doubled the lead early in the second period.

LaCombe responded with a long shot through traffic, scoring goals in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Holtz extended the Golden Knights’ lead in the third period, tapping in a pass from Tanner Pearson for his first goal since October 22. Theodore sealed the game with an empty-net goal.

Takeaways

Golden Knights: Vegas has bounced back well from last weekend’s 6-0 loss to Utah, showing discipline by committing just one penalty in their past two games.

Ducks: Anaheim’s struggles with consistency continued, and the potential long-term loss of Zegras—who exited after a noncontact injury—could further derail their season.

Key Moment

Trevor Zegras was helped off the ice in the second period after sustaining a noncontact lower-body injury. While Zegras has yet to rediscover the form that saw him tally 60 points two seasons ago, he remains one of the Ducks’ key offensive contributors.

Key Stat

1 — Total penalties the Golden Knights took over their last two games, highlighting their disciplined play.

Up Next

Vegas returns home to host the Dallas Stars on Friday night, while Anaheim welcomes the Minnesota Wild the same evening.