Ducks Eliminate 2-Time Defending West Champ Oilers in Game 6

The Anaheim Ducks have finally broken through, and they took down the kings of the West to do it. In a stunning result that shakes up the NHL playoff bracket, the Ducks eliminated the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers with a 5-2 victory in Game 6 on Thursday night. It marks Anaheim's first playoff series win since 2017—when they also beat the Oilers. Ducks' Power Play Proves Lethal Anaheim set the tone early and never looked back. The Ducks jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first period, capitalizing on their lethal power play. Cutter Gauthier's man-advantage goal late in the opening frame gave Anaheim a multi-goal cushion they would never relinquish. The Ducks' special teams were the story of the series. They went an incredible 8-for-16 on the power play over the six games, scoring with the man advantage in 10 straight games dating back to the regular season. Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry, and Chris Kreider (who turned 35 on Thursday) each recorded a goal and two assists in the clincher. Goaltender Lukas Dostal bounced back from a rough Game 5 to make 25 saves and secure the series win. Oilers Fall Short of Expectations For Edmonton, the early exit is a bitter pill to swallow after reaching the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons. "We were an average team all year," Oilers captain Connor McDavid admitted after the loss. "When you're an average team with high expectations, you're going to be disappointed." McDavid, who led the NHL with 138 points in the regular season, was held without a point for the third time in the series. The Ducks' defensive structure, led by Jackson LaCombe (who had 9 points in the series), effectively neutralized Edmonton's high-flying attack. What's Next in the West? The Ducks now await the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth series (Vegas leads 3-2). Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild also advanced on Thursday, eliminating the Dallas Stars with a 5-2 win behind two goals from Quinn Hughes. The Wild will face the Colorado Avalanche in Round 2. The Western Conference is officially wide open. --- Related reading: - NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2026 First Round Preview - NHL Playoffs Round 1 Game 5 Recap - NHL Stanley Cup Round 1 Update