The scene at Honda Center on Thursday really captured the moment. Goaltender Lukas Dostal pumped his fist as a wave of orange-clad fans erupted with joy when the horn signaled the end of Game 6, concluding with a 5-2 win that secured their advancement in the first round. A group of Ducks hopped the boards and glided across the ice, celebrating a victory that had been absent from their postseason for nearly a decade.
“It’s unreal,” Dostal said, reflecting on the game he contributed to as the goaltender for all four wins against the Oilers. Unreal—that word seemed to sum up the statement they just made. Sure, the Oilers have made it to the Stanley Cup Final twice and have a phenomenal player in Connor McDavid. But they faced fierce competition in the Western Conference, and the Ducks re-emerged far ahead of expectations. The last time Anaheim clinched a playoff series, Ryan Getzlaf, who was captain then, was racking up over 70 points in what turned out to be his final season. That was back in 2017, at the close of an era that saw them in the postseason nine times and capturing a Stanley Cup in 12 years.
Things have changed quite a bit since then. Anaheim underwent a lengthy rebuilding phase that took its toll. Honestly, it seemed a successful season was a bit of a long shot back in July. But now, with a blend of seasoned players and promising young talent—along with a head coach whose methods have stirred some debate—the Ducks are among the eight teams left standing, gearing up for a series next week against the Golden Knights. Ironically, they previously lost all three encounters during the regular season. They’re just 12 wins away from potentially clinching their second Stanley Cup in franchise history.
“We’re starting to get a taste of playoff hockey,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville expressed after confirming their place in the conference semifinals. “Moving on to the next round feels like a positive step for us. We’re not sure how they will approach the games, but there’s definitely excitement about the potential ahead.”
The components that led the Ducks to victory seem to create a solid foundation. Defenseman Jackson Lacombe, a former second-round pick at 25, topped the team charts with nine points, including a goal. Cutter Gauthier, the No. 5 overall pick in 2022—who joined the Ducks after not signing with the Flyers—was instrumental against Edmonton, netting four times, mirroring his regular-season tally of 41 goals. Leo Carlson added three goals against the Oilers, while Beckett Senecke, just 20, marked his first postseason score as the No. 3 overall pick in 2024.
“We’re all learning as we go,” Lacombe told media after the series with Edmonton. “I feel like we improved as things progressed. This means a lot.”
Then, of course, there are the veterans. Troy Terry, having spent nine seasons as the longest-tenured Duck, contributed three goals. Chris Kreider, a former star with the Rangers, brought in one goal and five assists in a move to Anaheim that reshaped the team significantly. Additionally, the Ducks secured Alex Killorn, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Lightning, alongside veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba.
Yet, despite all these promising elements, the Ducks maintain an air of unpredictability. They finished third in the Pacific Division with 92 points—an improvement of eight wins and a dozen points from the previous season—but ended the last stretch with eight losses in ten games. Only four players breached the 20-goal mark during the regular season, which is telling. Over the past few years, they’ve switched out three different coaches since their last playoff appearance back in 2018.
In the offseason, Quenneville, after returning from suspension due to his past handling of the Blackhawks’ issues while coaching in Chicago, took the helm—this move caused quite a stir. They also picked up centers Mikael Granlund and Ryan Poehling through trade and free agency. To top it off, veteran defenseman John Carlson arrived from the Capitals in a surprising deadline deal.
“It’s been quite a while,” Terry mentioned recently, reflecting on their fanbase’s loyalty. “They’ve always stood by us. They truly deserve this. A lot of us are based in Newport Beach, and I’ve started noticing cars around town with Ducks flags. It’s finally hitting home what this means for Orange County.”
So, for at least the next two nights, a familiar sight will return to Honda Center. Expect the ocean of orange, a packed crowd, perhaps a fist pump or two. That’s just what happens during the resurgence of hockey. Pieces from the defense, forwards, and goaltenders are slowly drawing back the fans, and each moment of magic they create simply feeds the fire.
