Ducks Take Game 2, Tie Up The Series

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks squared off against the Oilers in Edmonton for Game 2 of their series. There was no change in net with Lukas Dostal going against Connor Ingram again.

The Oilers scored just before the halfway point of the first period. Leon Draisaitl threw the puck on net from a severe angle from the left side of the net which deflected off Drew Helleson and into the net.

The Ducks tied up the game later in the period. Cutter Gauthier scored on a point shot with Beckett Sennecke screening Ingram in front. The teams were tied at one after one.

Anaheim took the lead early in the second period. Jacob Trouba scored on a point shot with Ingram being screened on the play.

A few minutes later Alex Killorn scored on the power play to make it a 3-1 lead. He took a shot and got the rebound which he scored on in close.

The Oilers answered just halfway past the period with a goal by Connor Murphy. Dostal was screened on on the play.

Ryan Poehling scored shorthanded to put Anaheim back up by two goals. Killorn got to a loose puck at the blue line and then found Poehling in front, who tipped the pass into the net.

Zach Hyman scored in the final minutes of the period to pull the Oilers back within a goal. The Ducks led 4-3 after two periods.

The Oilers tied up the game just about six minutes into the third period. Alex Killorn was striped of the puck and Josh Samanski eventually beat Dostal glove side from the slot.

The Ducks took the lead with about five minutes to go. Cutter Gauthier got to a rebound and scored into the partially open net.

Edmonton pulled their goalie in the final minutes and Poehling scored into the empty net. Anaheim went on to win 6-4.

Analysis:

Goals, goals, and more goals! As advertised this series so far has been an offensive showdown in north-south style contests.

The Oilers scored first and the Ducks responded taking the lead after two periods just like in Game 1. Edmonton tied the game in the third, but this time Anaheim responded taking the lead back and eventually winning.

Special teams was a huge key in this contest. The Ducks scored twice in three power play attempts. The Oilers had four power plays and could not convert. Anaheim got a shorthanded goal from Poehling, who also had the empty net goal to secure the victory.

Gauthier led the charge offensively with two goals and an assist as he factors in three of Anaheim’s six goals. He was in the right place at the right time late in the third period as he got to a loose puck and scored the game winner.

The Ducks have also shutdown Connor McDavid through two games as he has yet to register a point. Eventually he will break through, but if Anaheim can keep him contained like they have, then I like Anaheim’s chances to prevail in this series.

The Ducks did sit back in third again, but then fought back once the Oilers tied the game. After getting their playoff jitters out of their system in the first period of Game 1, the Ducks have settled in. They put themselves in a good position as this series is now a best of five and they have the  home ice advantage.

Team Notes/Stats:

The Ducks won their first playoff game since May 8th, 2017.

Dostal won his first playoff game.

Gauthier became the youngest Ducks player (22 years, 93 days) to record three points in a playoff game,

Radko Gudas was out with a lower body injury. Drew Helleson played in his place in this contest.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Oilers Friday at 7PM.

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April 23rd, 2026