Troy Terry returned to the lineup for Anaheim after an injury absence, and veteran defenseman John Carlson made his debut for the Ducks as Mason McTavish was left out as a healthy scratch.
Troy Terry Returns From Injury
Troy Terry rejoined the Ducks’ forward group after not playing since Feb. 25. The 28-year-old remains one of the team’s most productive scorers, ranking fifth in team scoring with 45 points in 46 games this season. His return restores a top-line offensive option for the club and gives Anaheim more scoring depth down the middle of the stretch.
Mason McTavish Scratched Amid Playing-Time Concerns
Coach Joel Quenneville made the notable lineup move to scratch Mason McTavish, listing him as a healthy scratch for the matchup. McTavish has produced two points in his last 12 games and 32 points in 61 games this season. The 2021 third-overall pick has seen his minutes dip, falling below 16 minutes a night, and his on-ice role has been reduced, with his trust under the coach described as slipping.
Statistical context provided for the center shows career-best possession metrics at five-on-five (52. 2%) and a high share of offensive-zone starts (nearly 59% of his shifts), yet those numbers have not translated into consistent scoring recently. After an extended restricted free agency period in the fall, the team signed him late in September, ending speculation about his availability, but the recent scratch underscores that his role could continue to be in flux.
John Carlson Debuts After Trade and Injury Layoff
John Carlson made his Ducks debut in Montreal following a trade acquisition and recovery from a lower-body injury. The 36-year-old defenseman was acquired in a deal that sent a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 draft to his former club. Carlson had not played since Feb. 5 because of the lower-body issue, which also ended his final game with his previous team against Nashville on that date.
Carlson entered the lineup after being unavailable for Anaheim’s 2-0 loss at Ottawa the previous night. He arrived in Anaheim with 46 points this season (10 goals, 36 assists) in 55 games, and his debut came alongside defense partner Olen Zellweger. With another defenseman sidelined due to a five-game suspension, Carlson’s presence bolsters the blue line depth and brings veteran scoring and playmaking to the roster.
Lineup choices moving forward will hinge on player health and coach decisions. The team has shuffled roles in recent weeks, and the reintroduction of Troy Terry and the arrival of John Carlson change the immediate makeup of the roster while Mason McTavish works to regain a consistent role.
