A key offseason acquisition is leading the Anaheim Ducks

On home ice for the first time at Honda Center and in front a legion of fans with high expectations, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Pittsburg Penguins by a final score of 4-3, in a game that featured a rough start for the home team, a failed offside challenge, and some key power play goals. Chris Kreider, a major offseason acquisition by Ducks GM Pat Verbeek, helped propel the team to victory against Sidney Crosby and company.

Kreider paying early dividends on the power play

The one time 52 goal scorer was brought in to help supply more offense to a Ducks team that has struggled to find consistent goal scoring, which the team has not had since the heydays of the franchise's run at the top of the Pacific Division. Kreider was also brought in to address one major weakness from the previous few seasons: the power play.

Kreider scored his second power play goal of the game with under two minutes left in the third period, which ended up being the game winner. He now leads the team in goals (four) and power play goals (three). In the 2023-24 season with New York Rangers, before the team's downward spiral, Kreider scored 39 goals with 18 coming on the power play. That kind of boost to Anaheim's power play will help pull their efficiency up from the bottom of the standings.

Rough start almost dooms the team, again

For the third game in a row, the Ducks were behind on the scoreboard. This time allowing the Penguins to score two goals on only four shots. While both Penguins goals were either tipped or deflected before going into the net, the third Penguins goal was more of the same, this time off of a broken stick of Jacob Trouba.

With all due respect to Pittsburg, San Jose, and Seattle, those teams were not viewed as Stanley Cup contenders heading into the 2025-26 season. The real challenge is up next, with the Carolina Hurricanes coming to Anaheim. The Ducks cannot afford another slow start, especially to a higher caliber of opponent; playing catch up will not be a viable strategy against the stronger teams in the league.