Ducks Find Power-Play Success, Edge Knights to Even Series

The Anaheim Ducks are proving that a potent power play can be the ultimate equalizer in a tight Stanley Cup playoff series. On Sunday night at the Honda Center, the Ducks used a relentless man-advantage attack and a balanced offensive effort to secure a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, knotting the Western Conference semifinal at two games apiece.

With the series now shifting back to Sin City for a pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday, the Ducks have seized home-ice advantage and, more importantly, discovered a lethal weapon that had been dormant in the first two games of the set. The power-play success was the story of the night, as Anaheim converted on two of its five opportunities, providing the margin of victory in a game that featured high-octane action from both sides.

Power Play Breaks the Seal for Anaheim

The Ducks entered Sunday’s contest having struggled to generate consistent pressure with the extra man, but that narrative changed dramatically in the first period. After a scoreless opening 12 minutes, Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb was sent to the box for interference, giving Anaheim its first prime chance. The Ducks’ top unit, orchestrated by rookie sensation Cutter Gauthier, moved the puck with crisp precision.

Gauthier, who finished the night with three assists, found Beckett Sennecke at the left faceoff circle. The 19-year-old winger, showcasing the poise of a veteran, fired a one-timer that beat Vegas goaltender Adin Hill high to the glove side. It was Sennecke’s third goal of the playoffs and a clear signal that the Ducks’ power play had found its rhythm.

“We’ve got momentum and things are going good as long as you can keep it,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said postgame. “That’s better than chasing it. Our power play gave us life tonight, and when you get contributions from young guys like Beckett and Cutter, it changes the whole complexion of the series.”

The Golden Knights responded quickly, with Pavel Dorofeyev tipping a Shea Theodore point shot past Ducks netminder Lukas Dostal to tie the game at 1-1. But the Ducks’ power play struck again late in the first period. This time, Gauthier threaded a cross-ice pass to Alex Killorn, who one-timed a rocket from the right circle that beat Hill cleanly. The goal restored Anaheim’s lead and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

Depth Scoring and Goaltending Hold the Line

While the power play provided the initial spark, the Ducks’ depth scoring and steady goaltending were equally critical in securing the win. Mikael Granlund extended the lead to 3-1 early in the second period, cashing in on a rebound after a relentless forecheck by the line of Killorn and Sennecke. Granlund’s goal was his fourth of the postseason and highlighted the secondary scoring that has become a hallmark of Anaheim’s playoff run.

Vegas, known for its resilience, refused to fold. Brett Howden answered just 2:17 later, deflecting a puck past Dostal to cut the deficit to 3-2. The Golden Knights carried that momentum into the third period, and Tomas Hertl tied the game at 3-3 with a slick backhand finish after a turnover in the neutral zone. It looked like Vegas had seized control, but the Ducks responded with their most important shift of the series.

Just 1:45 after Hertl’s equalizer, rookie defenseman Ian Moore stepped into a slap shot from the blue line that beat Hill through a screen. The goal, Moore’s first of the playoffs, was a testament to the Ducks’ philosophy of getting pucks to the net. “We just wanted to simplify,” Moore said. “Get it on net and see what happens. It worked out.”

From there, Lukas Dostal took over. The 24-year-old goaltender, who made 18 saves on the night, was at his best in the final 10 minutes. He stoned Jack Eichel on a breakaway with a lightning-quick glove save and later denied a point-blank chance from Mark Stone with the net empty. Dostal’s calm demeanor under pressure has been a constant theme for Anaheim in this series.

• Key Stat: Anaheim’s power play went 2-for-5, while Vegas was 0-for-3 with the man advantage.
• Key Player: Cutter Gauthier’s three assists give him eight points in four games this series.
• Turning Point: Ian Moore’s go-ahead goal in the third period came just 1:45 after Vegas tied the game.

Expert Analysis: The Series Has Shifted

Through the first two games in Vegas, the Golden Knights controlled the neutral zone and neutralized Anaheim’s speed. But since returning home, the Ducks have flipped the script. The power-play success in Game 4 is a direct result of better puck movement and a willingness to shoot from all areas. Vegas, which prides itself on disciplined penalty killing, has now allowed five power-play goals in the last two games.

“The Ducks are winning the special teams battle, and that’s a huge red flag for Vegas,” said former NHL coach and TSN analyst Craig Berube. “When you give a team like Anaheim confidence on the power play, it opens up even-strength chances because the defense has to respect the pass. Gauthier is the straw that stirs the drink. He’s seeing the ice like a 10-year veteran.”

Another critical factor has been the Ducks’ ability to limit Vegas’s high-danger chances. While the Golden Knights scored three goals, two of them came off deflections and one off a turnover. Dostal wasn’t forced to make many sprawling saves because the Ducks’ defense, led by veteran Cam Fowler and rookie Olen Zellweger, did an excellent job of boxing out and clearing rebounds.

For Vegas, the loss is a missed opportunity. The Golden Knights had a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, but instead return home with the pressure squarely on their shoulders. Head coach Bruce Cassidy will need to find answers for a Ducks power play that has suddenly become a difference-maker. “We can’t take penalties and expect to win,” Cassidy admitted. “They’re too good with the puck right now.”

Predictions for Game 5 and Beyond

With the series tied 2-2, Game 5 in Vegas on Tuesday becomes a de facto best-of-three. The Golden Knights will have the last change, which could allow Cassidy to match his top line of Eichel, Stone, and Ivan Barbashev against the Ducks’ top unit. However, Anaheim’s depth has been a revelation. The line of Sennecke, Killorn, and Granlund has combined for seven points in the last two games, and the third line featuring Mason McTavish and Frank Vatrano has provided energy and forechecking pressure.

Prediction: Expect a tight, defensive battle in Game 5. Vegas will come out desperate, and the crowd at T-Mobile Arena will be electric. But the Ducks have proven they can win in Vegas, having stolen Game 1 in overtime. If Anaheim’s power play remains hot and Dostal continues to play with confidence, the Ducks have a legitimate chance to take a 3-2 series lead back to Anaheim.

“We know they’re going to come hard,” Quenneville said. “But we’ve got a group that believes in each other. This is a series now.”

The key for Vegas will be staying out of the penalty box. The Golden Knights took five penalties in Game 4, and while they killed three of them, the two power-play goals were the difference. If Vegas can clean up its discipline and get better goaltending from Adin Hill—who allowed four goals on 29 shots—they can reclaim control.

Ultimately, this series is a chess match between two well-coached teams. The Ducks have momentum, but the Golden Knights have experience. Game 5 will likely come down to which team executes better in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Based on what we saw Sunday, the Ducks have the edge in confidence, but Vegas has the edge in desperation.

Strong Conclusion: The Battle Is Far from Over

The Anaheim Ducks’ 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights was a statement win. It wasn’t perfect—there were turnovers, defensive lapses, and a third-period collapse that nearly cost them the game. But in the playoffs, style points don’t matter. What matters is finding a way to win, and the Ducks did exactly that.

Beckett Sennecke and Alex Killorn provided the offensive punch, Cutter Gauthier orchestrated the attack, and Lukas Dostal stood tall when it mattered most. The power play, which was a question mark entering the series, is now a weapon. And the Ducks have proven they can trade blows with a Stanley Cup contender.

As the series shifts back to Las Vegas, the pressure is on the Golden Knights to protect home ice. For the Ducks, the message is simple: keep the momentum, stay disciplined, and trust the process. “That’s better than chasing it,” Quenneville said. And right now, the Ducks are doing the chasing—chasing a spot in the Western Conference Final.

Game 5 on Tuesday promises to be a thriller. One team will take a stranglehold on the series. The other will fight for survival. In a battle this tight, the team that wants it more usually prevails. Based on Sunday’s performance, the Ducks want it badly.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.