Three takeaways from the Anaheim Ducks first postseason game against the Sharks

The Ducks have started the 2026-27 campaign on a high note, as they defeated the San Jose Sharks by a final score of 6-2 at Honda Center. While acknowledging that this was just a preseason game and the Sharks did not bring their aces down to Southern California for the tilt, we can still parse out some noteworthy highlights and discern who looked they belonged on the ice.

The big guns haven't missed a beat

After an eventful offseason, in which he signed a market resetting offer sheet and left the Ducks organization with no other option than to match it, Leo Carlsson looked like the number one center Anaheim paid for. Carlsson was in full form, flying through the neutral zone, and shifting around the Sharks defenders with ease.

Carlsson was definitely noticeable when he was on the ice, as he was constantly forcing the Sharks defenders to back up, and scanning the ice to set up his teammates. Carlsson finished the game with two points (1 goal, 1 assist) and 14:15 of ice time.

Jackson LaCombe also looked as if he hadn't missed a beat after his 2026 postseason glow up, as he scored the first goal of the game for the Ducks, after a nice cross-ice pass from Cutter Gauthier.

LaCombe finished the game with 21:58 of ice time, which was second for all Ducks defenders. However, LaCombe was not the only core piece of the Ducks that stood out from the game.

The manchild has started his sophomore season on the right foot

Preseason caveats included Beckett Sennecke at the very least, made last season's breakout look like the floor of his capabilities, not the ceiling. Despite playing mostly on the second line with Mikael Granlund, Sennecke was regularly generating high danger scoring chances, using his big frame and lethal shot to his advantage. His third goal of the game was the result of a deft flip pass from Granlund in the neutral zone, and the speedy Sennecke did not miss on the breakaway attempt.

Rookie standouts

Even though he finished the game with just an assist, Nikita Klepov was noticeable on the ice, when he was shifted up to the top line with Carlsson and Gauthier. In the second period, Carlsson fed Klepov a beautiful pass from behind the San Jose net, but Klepov could not finish on the attempt. Soon after, the trio of Carlsson, Klepov, and Gauthier had a textbook tic-tac-toe play, but they were unable to capitalize. The qualities that made him irresistible to Pat Verbeek during the 2026 draft, were on display and if Klepov can continue with a strong showing throughout the preseason, a regular roster spot should be within the realm of possibility.

Even though he is not a rookie by NHL standards, Tristan Luneau has only appeared in 14 regular season games, over the course of the past three seasons. However, the Ducks are in dire need of another young prospect to take the reins and become an everyday defenseman. Luneau, for one game at least, looked the part, as he notched three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and had the most ice time of any Ducks defender, with 25:31.

What's next?

The Ducks will host the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night, for the second game of the now abbreviated preseason. Despite just being a preseason game, expect some fireworks from the Southern California rivals, especially with roster spots on the line for both clubs.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow