The altitude will be another challenge during a stretch in which the Ducks, who lead the NHL in goals per game, have passed nearly every test.

Leo Carlsson's short-handed goal midway through the third period proved to be the winner as the Anaheim Ducks rallied to beat the Dallas Stars 7-5.

The plan, concocted by Verbeek and Carlsson’s agent, Matt Keator, to have him sit out some games as a rookie and focus on strengthening and shaping his 6-foot-3, 208-pound frame, is paying full dividends now.

The Ducks have come out downright mighty with 11 wins in 15 contests and a goal differential of +17 so far. It may come as a surprise to some, but on paper, this Ducks roster does look like a playoff team, and perhaps one that can steal the Pacific Division from the Vegas Golden Knights.

Jacob Trouba scored at 4:28 of overtime and Anaheim scoring leader Leo Carlsson had his first two-goal game of the season in the red-hot Ducks' 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.

Troy Terry is the longest-serving Anaheim Ducks player who has yet to experience Stanley Cup playoff hockey. The only taste of it came from a distance as a black ace in 2018 while watching the Ducks get swept out by the San Jose Sharks after making his NHL debut.