The Anaheim Ducks keep inventing new ways to beat themselves

Remember when the Anaheim Ducks finally snapped their 5-game losing streak, by defeating the hated Philadelphia Flyers, in a game you probably couldn't watch? Ah, those were the days. After having a promising start to the 2026-27 season and briefly holding third place in the Pacific Division with a 4-1 record and a +5-goal differential, the Ducks have not only steadily plummeted out of the playoff picture, but into the dregs of the standings with the other bottom feeders of the league. In their latest Picasso, the Ducks absolutely threw up all over themselves in a 6-5 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night and it's become embarrassing.

It was 4-1

Those haunted words may be sacrilegious around certain Canadian teams, but those words will also now haunt the Ducks and the Anaheim faithful for the next few days, after their latest loss to the Canucks. Late in the second period, the Ducks were in full control of the game and Leo Carlsson was adding salt to the wound of a Canucks team that seemed overmatched and searching for answers to break a 10-game losing streak.

According to MoneyPuck, the Ducks had a 94.76% chance of winning the game, after the Carlsson goal. The shots may have been relatively even up to that point, but the Ducks were manufacturing offense; something they have struggled to do of late, with contributions throughout the lineup featuring goals from Beckett Sennecke, Tim Washe, and Jeff Malott.

But instead of continuing that positive momentum forward, the Ducks crumpled in the third period, as the pride driven Canucks marched towards their comeback. Down by 2 goals with around 3 minutes to go and Leevi Merilainen pulled for the extra attacker, A.J. Greer made a beautiful back pass to the middle of the ice, that Jonathan Lekkerimaki was all too happy to receive.

Despite the goal, the Ducks still had a 94.72% chance of winning the game. But neither Lekkerimaki nor the Canucks could be stopped, as he scored again to tie the game and Anaheim's chances of winning cratered to that of a coin flip, with 50.06% odds.

The overtime went about as well as the Ducks play of late, as both Alex Killorn and Beckett Sennecke sat in the penalty box, while the Canucks had a two man advantage.

You cannot blame the Ducks penalty killers on the winning goal, as they were in a tough spot in overtime and the Canucks were deftly slinging the puck across the ice. While the late goals Dostal gave up might seem weak on the surface, he was screened on both attempts. The defense of the Ducks has been abysmal at keeping the blue paint in front of their goalies clean, which has been an ongoing problem that precedes this season's youthful defense corps.

Embarrassed and running out of excuses

You can give the Ducks a pass on the tough travel loss to the New York Rangers, but they were run over by the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils. The win against the Flyers may have sparked a brief glimpse of hope, but the loss against the Canucks was flat out embarrassing. Under no circumstances, should the Ducks have lost that game. The Ducks may be thin now up at the top of the lineup, but both Senncke and Carlsson scored. Cutter Gauthier may not be scoring goals at his 2025-26 pace, but at the very least, he has still been putting up points. The mix just seems off, and the Joel Quenneville line blender is still in full effect.

Killorn and Judd Caulfield are good wingers, but they are not top of the lineup caliber. Quenneville is still spreading his best skaters throughout the lineup, instead of loading them up on one line, which is still baffling. When on the powerplay, all three of the Ducks big guns are out on the ice, along with Mikael Granlund and Jackson LaCombe. If Troy Terry and Ryan Poehling were back in the lineup, spreading out the offense would be a valid decision. But Carlsson cannot operate to the best of his ability with bottom six talent; he is not Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid. Sometimes, good players have to play with good players to get the best out of each other. Washe and Gauthier? McQueen with Vatrano? Those are not appealing combinations.

Those Ducks will host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, who are also mired in their own early season struggles. One team has to win and if the Ducks have a 90% chance of doing so, I wouldn't hold my breath.

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