How the Anaheim Ducks captured their first playoff victory in nine years

Where were you nine years ago? I was on the other side of the country and one of my children was not even born yet. That's how long it has been since the Anaheim Ducks last recorded a playoff victory, with a 3-2 overtime win against the Nashville Predators during the Western Conference Finals. That was the last gasp of the old Ducks core and as close as that group would get to capturing the elusive second Stanley Cup for the franchise.

Flash forward to this season and a new young core of Ducks just secured their first playoff victory since that time, by defeating the favorited Edmonton Oilers by a final score of 6-4. On the back of great special teams and depth scoring, this group of Ducks proved that they can in fact play with the back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists, despite some naysayers.

Special teams advantage

Powerplay paid dividends

As highlighted in the series preview, the Ducks went 33 percent (4 for 12) on the powerplay against the Oilers during the regular season. For all of the superstar talent on the other side, the Ducks surprisingly had an advantage, as they were just a meager 18.6 percent on the powerplay against the rest of the league. And the Ducks made the Oilers pay in their second contest, going 2 for 3 with the man advantage.

Penalty kill was a power kill

In a moment that tipped the scales in the Ducks' favor, the vaulted powerplay of the Oilers, headlined by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard, crumbled at the most inopportune time and Ryan Poehling capitalized.

For all their weapons on offense, the Oilers have yet to break through on the powerplay, going 0 for 6 so far in the series. While this will probably not hold up, as the Oilers are too adept at scoring with the man advantage with a 30.6 conversion rate during the regular season, the Ducks have so far neutralized a dangerous component from the opposition.

Depth scoring

Outside of the aforementioned Cutter Gauthier (two goals) and Ryan Poehling (also two goals), the Ducks depth showed up when the top guns of Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry were unable to find the back of the net. A goal from the relatively and defensively sound Jacob Trouba, temporarily gave the Ducks the lead in the first period.

The unsung and oft forgotten Alex Killorn, also potted a goal on the powerplay; just turn a blind eye to how he got stripped of a puck later in the game that lead to an Oilers goal.

Final thoughts

The Ducks have proven to the Oilers and the rest of the hockey world, that they will not go quietly into the night. While McDavid has yet to have a signature game, no points so far in the series, the Ducks can trade punches with their rival. If Dostal ever has a stretch of Vezina quality play, the Oilers could be in danger.

What's next?

The Ducks return to Honda Center to resume the series on Friday night. If the Ducks can keep up their level of play, along with their stellar home record (24-13-4), they could put the Oilers on the brink of elimination.

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