Old faces return to New York, but young faces carry Ducks to victory over Rangers

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the New York Rangers by a final score of 4-1. The game was the backdrop though, to the return of former Rangers, Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba. Though neither veteran made a sizeable impact on the scoresheet, the young core of the Ducks made sure their teammates would leave Madison Square Garden with a victory, snapping a two-game losing skid.

An emotional return

After being traded in the offseason, following a disastrous 2024-25 campaign for the Rangers, Kreider has rebounded nicely in Anaheim. A staple in the Ducks top six forward group, Kreider has provided the goal scoring punch he was known for, with 13 goals in 29 games this season. While the offense has dried up lately, only three points (one goal and two assists) in the past seven games, Kreider still has that presence on the ice. And the Rangers fans welcomed him back in kind.

Even though he played in 53 games for the Ducks last season, the contest against the Rangers was Trouba's first game back in New York as well. Trouba has been a staple in the Ducks top four defense, regularly paired with either Jackson LaCombe or Olen Zellweger. With 15 points (five goals and ten assists) in 33 games, Trouba has made an impact with his offensive play from the blue line and a penchant for still throwing the big hit. Even though the divorce from the Rangers was messy, Trouba still received acknowledgement from the fans.

The young faces secure the win

LaCombe got the scoring for the Ducks started with a short-handed goal in the second period, with assists from Ryan Poehling and Trouba (his only point for the night).

According to the Ducks broadcast, LaCombe's goal was the first short-handed goal scored by a Ducks defenseman. since Brandon Montour in the 2017-18 season.

After a strange play in which Lukas Dostal knocked in a Ranger shot with an outstretched blocker, Cutter Gauthier would reestablish the Ducks lead in the third period.

Gauthier would add another goal into an empty Ranger net and Pavel Mintyukov added salt to the wound, with a goal just before time expired.

It's a quick turnaround for the Ducks, as the Blue Jackets are on the docket next, in the second game of back-to-backs. Here's to hoping the Ducks can end the road trip above .500, with a win in Columbus.