Anaheim Ducks Summary

The Anaheim Ducks faced off against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on May 4, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena. The Ducks entered the game following a strong first round where they defeated the Edmonton Oilers, marking their first playoff series win in nine years.

However, the Ducks fell to the Golden Knights in a tightly contested match, with a controversial no-call on icing leading to a pivotal goal by Ivan Barbashev late in the third period, which ultimately sealed the victory for Vegas.

Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville acknowledged the challenge posed by the Golden Knights, citing their balance and defensive capabilities. The return of William Karlsson to the Golden Knights lineup added another layer of complexity to the matchup, as he had been sidelined since November 2025 due to a lower-body injury.

The Ducks will need to regroup and adapt to officiating and strategic challenges as the series progresses, emphasizing their 'next man up' mentality as key to overcoming the formidable Golden Knights.