The Anaheim Ducks clinched a spot in the next round of the NHL playoffs with a convincing 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on May 1, 2026, in Anaheim, California. This win dashed the Oilers’ hopes of reaching the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive year.
From the outset, the Ducks set the tone. For the first time in this series, they scored the game’s opening goal, igniting their home crowd. By the end of the first period, they had already established a commanding lead with three goals.
Ryan Poehling continued to shine for Anaheim, netting his fourth goal of the series. Chris Kreider also made his mark by scoring his first playoff goal with the Ducks during this pivotal game. Cutter Gauthier added to their tally with a power-play goal, marking their eighth power-play goal in just 16 opportunities throughout this series.
Lukas Dostal stood out in goal for Anaheim, making 25 saves after being pulled in Game 5. His performance was crucial in maintaining their lead and securing the win. Meanwhile, Connor McDavid struggled during this decisive match; he found himself on the ice while Edmonton was outshot and out-chanced.
The loss marked an early exit for the Oilers, who had reached the Stanley Cup Final in both of the past two seasons but fell short against the Florida Panthers. Mattias Ekholm faced challenges throughout this series and particularly struggled defensively in Game 6.
Joel Quenneville celebrated his success as head coach, improving his record to 20-6 in Game 6s. The Ducks now look ahead to face either the Utah Mammoth or Vegas Golden Knights, who currently lead their series 3-2.
This victory is significant not just for team morale but also because it marks the Ducks’ first advancement past a playoff round since 2017—a long-awaited achievement for fans and players alike.
