Ducks Eliminate Oilers With 5-2 Victory in Game 6

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks eliminated the Edmonton Oilers from the playoffs with a decisive 5-2 victory in Game 6 on Thursday, April 30, 2026, marking the Ducks' first playoff series win since 2017.

Why it matters: This victory ends the Oilers’ hopes for a third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final and signifies a major turnaround for the Ducks, who are now advancing to the second round.

• The Ducks scored three goals in the first period, establishing a strong lead early in the game.
• This marks the first time the Ducks have won a playoff series in nine years.
• Edmonton's loss means another year goes by without a championship for superstar Connor McDavid.

Driving the news: The Ducks took control of the game right from the start, with Ryan Poehling scoring his fourth goal of the series just under ten minutes in. Chris Kreider followed with a one-timer for his first playoff goal with Anaheim, and Cutter Gauthier capped off the first period with a power-play goal.

• Poehling’s goal came at 9:56, assisted by John Carlson and Cutter Gauthier.
• Kreider’s goal, which made it 2-0, was his 49th career postseason goal.
• Gauthier's power-play goal at 16:50 marked the Ducks' eighth power-play goal in the series.

State of play: The Oilers struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game, particularly with Connor McDavid, who was significantly outplayed. Edmonton managed to score two goals, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback.

• Connor Murphy scored for Edmonton in the first period, but it did little to shift momentum.
• Vasily Podkolzin added another goal for the Oilers in the third period, but the Ducks had already secured their lead.
• Goaltender Lukas Dostal made 25 saves, bouncing back after being pulled in Game 5.

The big picture: This series showcased the Ducks’ young talent, with players like Gauthier and Mason McTavish stepping up when it mattered most. The Ducks are now set to face either the Utah Mammoth or the Vegas Golden Knights in the next round.

• The Ducks' defensive strategy effectively contained McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, limiting their scoring opportunities.
• Joel Quenneville, in his first season as head coach, improved to 20-6 in Game 6s.
• McDavid's performance was hampered by an ankle injury sustained earlier in the series, impacting his effectiveness on the ice.

What they're saying: After the game, Coach Quenneville remarked on the team's resilience and focus. “We knew we had to start strong, and we did just that,” he said. McDavid expressed disappointment in the loss but acknowledged the Ducks' performance. “They played well, and we didn’t find our game when we needed to.”

• McDavid’s struggles were evident, as he was on the ice during key moments when the Ducks scored.
• Hyman noted the importance of winning on the road, stating, “You don’t win a series without winning games away from home.”
• Ducks’ defenseman Jackson LaCombe received praise for his role in limiting McDavid’s impact throughout the series.

By the numbers: The Ducks capitalized on their power plays, scoring eight goals in 16 opportunities throughout the series.

• The Oilers were outshot and out-chanced when McDavid was on the ice during Game 6.
• McDavid ended the series with two assists in Game 5 but struggled to make a similar impact in Game 6.
• The Ducks scored 13 goals in the first three games of the series, demonstrating their offensive prowess.

What's next: The Ducks will await the winner of the Utah Mammoth-Vegas Golden Knights series, which currently stands at 3-2 in favor of Vegas. Game 6 of that series is scheduled for Friday night.

• If the Ducks win their next series, it will be their first appearance in the second round since 2017.
• The Oilers will regroup and look to address their shortcomings in the offseason, particularly concerning their playoff performance.
• Game 7, if necessary, for the Mammoth-Golden Knights series will take place in Las Vegas.