Ducks even pull golden knights with unexpected protective gems

Anaheim Ducks the center Leo Carlson Watched from the bench as his team’s penalty kill spread around the crease, intercepting several Vegas Golden Knights A scoring chance in the late stages of Game 2 in a Western Conference semifinal playoff series.

“It just felt like (Puck) kind of had to go in at some point,” Carlson said.

“Thank you,” his goalkeeper said. Lucas got itsaid with a sarcastic laugh.

The puck didn’t go in until just over six seconds remained, as the Ducks skated by one 3-1 win and tied the series 1-1 on Wednesday night. It was a rare game in which Anaheim flexed its defensive prowess, having been one of the weakest goal-scoring teams in the regular season. But in Game 2 in Las Vegas, the Ducks excelled at 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill.

“It’s not our tradition to play games like this — to score low when we score first and we’re ahead the whole game,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “That’s the only way to be successful in the playoffs. You have to win games like tonight.”

It’s been a struggle all season for Quenneville and his staff to get the Ducks to play that kind of defense. Anaheim was 29th in goals against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 during the regular season and 28th in expected goals.

“We were definitely beating that drum that we found ways to keep the puck out of our net. When we do, we’re a good team,” Quenneville said. “If you want to win in the playoffs, you better keep your net out.”

The Docs played their two best defensive games of the playoffs in Vegas Edmonton Oilers Their first round series win. Quenneville credited their offensive puck possession with helping their defense tighten up in Game 2.

When they needed him, Dostal was there to stop 22 of 23 shots, calling himself the “soccer goalie” in some scrambles in front of the crease.

“We know we have an amazing goalie behind us, so that helps a lot as well,” Carlson said.

But in the third period, with the Knights pressing, Quenneville said his team was lucky not to give up a goal.

“Obviously we were lucky two or three times at the end where they saw the net. We were diving all over the place and lucky it didn’t go in,” he said.

After dominating 5-on-5 throughout the game, the Ducks broke through with a goal in the second period. Beckett SenecaAs the Golden Knights misread their defensive assignments in their own zone and left the Anaheim forward alone in front of the goalie Carter Hart. Sene was named a finalist for NHL Rookie of the Year on Tuesday night.

Carlson extended the lead in the third period as Vegas left another Ducks player alone in front of Hart. This time, it was a brilliant backhand pass from the winger Troy Terry That found Carlson for his fourth playoff appearance.

Jansen Harkins An empty-mesh is added earlier Mark Stone Dostal scored a late power-play goal for the Golden Knights to break up Dostal’s shutout bid with six seconds left. The Ducks were one of four teams without a shutout all season. Anaheim’s last shutout was on October 12, 2024, giving the Ducks the longest shutout drought in the NHL.

“It doesn’t matter how you win or what the score is. (The shutout) is always the cherry on top, but it doesn’t matter. We got the W,” Dostal said.

Vegas coach John Tortorella said his team needs to get the puck quickly and take advantage of opportunities, but there was no panic for the Golden Knights after dropping Game 2.

“They’re split here. We’ve got to go in and try to get a game out of there,” he said. “We’re going to keep our composure and know our business. This team has always been really good in situations like this, so I have full confidence we’re going to find our way.”

Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night in Anaheim.