Cup wins and playoff experience will have to be key factors for the Ducks to see playoff success this season

As the Ducks are entering their first playoff series in 8 years, they surely will be looking to make a splash. Most of these players, part of a very young core group, have not had the opportunity to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It will be very important for those on the team who have to help the new generation along. There are six players on this team with a lot of playoff games under their belts, and a few who have been fortunate enough to hoist Lord Stanley’s cup. Let’s take a look at who they are and how they have impacted the 2026-27 season to this point.

Chris Kreider

The 15-year NHL vet out of Boxford, Massachusetts, had a very solid first season in Anaheim. He finished with 22 goals and 50 points, 4th and 6th on the team, respectively. He did this in only 75 games and also contributed 3 game-winning goals. Kreider's offense has been a boost multiple times this season as he seemed to score many of them in a timely fashion, tying or winning a game. His speed, while it has dwindled perhaps a little with age and some injuries in the past, will be a major factor in the playoffs. As well, his power play prowess will be greatly appreciated as he scored 8 goals with the man-advantage this year. If there is a Duck vet that I would call Mr. Clutch, it's Kreider.

Overall playoff experience: 123 games played with 48 goals and 76 points. Including four conference final trips and a Cup final with the Rangers. He has yet to win the elusive trophy.

Mikael Granlund

The Finnish center of 14 seasons had himself a trying year being out with injury in multiple instances, but produced pretty well even so. While playing in only 58 games, Granlund finished with 19 goals and 41 points (nearly a 60-point pace). Granny, as he is affectionately called in the locker room and by many fans, is a player who hasn’t necessarily had the craziest number in terms of playoff experience, but does have his fair share of success in the postseason. His presence in the faceoff dot was respectable at just under 50 percent, as well as having produced well at even strength, with 29 of his points coming without special teams.

Overall playoff experience: 77 games played with 16 goals and 42 points. Most  recently, he went on a conference final run with the Dallas Stars as he scored 5 goals and 10 points in 18 games, before being eliminated by the Oilers last spring.

Alex Killorn

The Halifax, Nova Scotia native is now in his 3rd year with the Ducks, 14th in the league. He played in all 82 games, one of only three this year (LaCombe and Sennecke). Killer’s production has been consistent in Anaheim as he has been in the teens in both goals and assists each year. This season, he scored 15 goals and 33 points. As well as producing at a decent pace, he has also added a good mix of shot blocking (30) and hitting (70). Not to mention, he is also the oldest player on the team, so he not only has the playing experience but the wisdom that comes with age.

Overall playoff experience: 140 games played with 37 goals and 77 points. Arguably, the most valuable experience as he has won two Stanley Cups and been to the final four times with the Lightning.

Jacob Trouba

The big blueliner (6 feet 3 inches, 212 lbs) has had himself a very effective full season with Anaheim. He played in all but one game, scoring 10 goals and 35 points as well as leading the team in shot blocks with 149 and being third with 143 hits. This season, Troubs has definitely had some flair on offense, with a few of his goals being real goal-scorers’ snipes.

Overall playoff experience: 73 games played with 4 goals and 19 points. Trouba has been to both the Eastern and Western conference finals, once with Winnipeg in 2018 and once with the Rangers in 2024.

John Carlson

The 17-year veteran has had himself a hell of a time since being traded by the Capitals to the Ducks at the deadline this past March. Carlson scored 4 goals, including his first career hat trick, and 10 assists in 16 games. In total, this season, between Washington and Anaheim, he has earned 60 points in 71 games. This is his highest point total in five seasons. The 35-year-old D-man has truly bolstered the Ducks lineup in terms of generating offense from the back end. He has quickly become a favorite of mine since joining the Ducks, and I can’t wait to see what he does in these upcoming playoffs.

Overall playoff experience: 137 games played with 21 goals and 78 points. Including winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 with the Capitals.

Radko Gudas

The captain and 14-year veteran has had a season marred by injuries and a suspension. However, he still managed to play in 56 games and produce 13 points. Gudas was second behind only Ross Johnston in hits, with 164. We all know that the playoffs are a different animal, and guys like Gudas are the players you need on a team. He will be a great help in playing the extra physical style of the postseason.

Overall playoff experience: 57 games played with a goal and 9 assists. As well, he has notably earned himself 82 penalty minutes in those games, a real agitator to say the least. The Anaheim captain took a trip to the Cup final in 2023 with the Florida Panthers.

Final thoughts

This seasoned group boasts a combined Stanley Cup Playoffs games played of 607, with 127 goals scored and 302 total points. They all have had their share of deep playoff runs and know what it takes physically and mentally to win a game and win a series. That's not to say the young guys don't need to step up as well. Both the inexperienced and the battle-tested must truly come together and take these 2026 playoffs one period at a time, one game at a time. I believe this Ducks team can do some damage and leave a mark in this postseason. It's up to the players and coaches to make it happen.

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