Ducks Hang On For 3-2 Win Over The Oilers

Photo: NHL

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the Edmonton Oilers. Lukas Dostal was in get against Olivier Rodrigue. The Oilers were shorthanded playing 11 forwards and six defensemen. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were both out dealing with injuries. Edmonton has locked up third place in the Pacific Division so may rest them and others players in the next two weeks.

Recap

The Oilers struck first towards the end of the first period. Former Duck Adam Henrique scored as Jake Walman‘s shot deflected of his skate and past Dostal. Edmonton led 1-0 after the opening 20 minutes.

Cutter Gauthier scored twice in the middle frame to put Anaheim up 2-1. He scored just two minutes into the period on a one-timer from the right face-off circle. He then turned on the speed, blew past the Oilers defense, and scored a backhand goal just over seven minutes into the period.

Things got testy at the end of the second period. Radko Gudas delivered a hit to Corey Perry and he had to go to the locker room. Perry appeared okay as he came back and played the rest of the game after a brief absence.

In the final seconds of the period, Kasperi Kapanen checked Ryan Strome into the boards hard and the teams came together along the boards. After it was all said and done the Oilers had a four minute power play to start the third period.

The Ducks killed off the first penalty and the second was wiped off the board when Adam Henrique was called for roughing.

Mason McTavish then scored on a breakaway just over five minutes into the period. He stole the puck in the neutral zone and then was off to the races.

The rest of the period was filled with penalties and the teams mixed it up again about halfway through the period. The Oilers crashed the net and Drew Helleson and Max Jones went at each other. Eventually Trevor Zegras came to Jones as they got reacquainted.

Jeff Skinner made things interesting as he scored with less than four minutes to go. Edmonton pulled Rodrigue multiple times in the final minutes, but the Ducks were able to hang on and win 3-2.

Analysis:

This was another one of those contests where the Ducks won on the scoreboard, but they were not the better team overall despite playing a depleted Edmonton team. The Oilers posted a CF% of 62.73% and FF% of 64.2% at even strength. They put up 69 shot attempts to 41 for Anaheim. Dostal ended up stopping 45 of 47 shots on goal. The Ducks had to lean on him big time in the third as the Oilers put 24 shots on net in just that period alone.

Another reason why the Ducks won was the special teams battle. The Oilers had six power plays and weren’t able to convert on any of them. After the Gudas hit in the second period, the chippy play picked up the second half of the game and the Ducks found themselves in the penalty box often.

Gauthier had a great night and was a factor in the Ducks win as he scored twice, both times in the second. General Manager Pat Verbeek said he was impressed with Cutter’s speed and he thinks he underestimates how fast he is sometimes. He mentioned he would like to see him get the behind the defense more often and that’s exactly what he did on his second goal.

Team Notes/Stats:

The Ducks have six players who scared at least 17 goals this season. It’s the first time that happened since the 2006-07 season.

What’s Next?

The Ducks host the Calgary Flames Wednesday at 7PM.

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April 8th, 2025