The Ducks scored three first-period goals and that would be enough as they ousted the two-time defending Western Conference champion Oilers, in a 5-2 Game 6 win at Honda Center in Anaheim, unexpected after the Ducks had failed to make the postseason since 2018.
The Ducks got some puck-luck on two of those opening tallies, but got the benefits from creating the chances in the first place with aggressive play, consistently attacking with speed and being first to pucks. The Oilers really didn't muster much of a response and when they did have chances, Lukas Dostal was there to make the stop, totaling 25 saves.
It's the first time in five years the Oilers failed to make it out of the first round.
My take:Connor McDavid was playing hurt, but that's not why the Oilers lost. The Ducks were the more aggressive team throughout the series, winning four of the final five games. Joel Quenneville might have questionable morals, but he knows how to coach hockey.
A bit of trivia: This is just the fourth time since the NHL went to a 16-team playoff in 1980 that the two Stanley Cup finalists from the previous season did not get out of the first round in the next — the Panthers didn't make the playoffs; the Oilers out in Round 1.
THE ASYLUM
Ducks oust Oilers
The Ducks scored three first-period goals and that would be enough as they ousted the two-time defending Western Conference champion Oilers, in a 5-2 Game 6 win at Honda Center in Anaheim, unexpected after the Ducks had failed to make the postseason since 2018.
The Ducks got some puck-luck on two of those opening tallies, but got the benefits from creating the chances in the first place with aggressive play, consistently attacking with speed and being first to pucks. The Oilers really didn't muster much of a response and when they did have chances, Lukas Dostal was there to make the stop, totaling 25 saves.
It's the first time in five years the Oilers failed to make it out of the first round.
My take: Connor McDavid was playing hurt, but that's not why the Oilers lost. The Ducks were the more aggressive team throughout the series, winning four of the final five games. Joel Quenneville might have questionable morals, but he knows how to coach hockey.
A bit of trivia: This is just the fourth time since the NHL went to a 16-team playoff in 1980 that the two Stanley Cup finalists from the previous season did not get out of the first round in the next — the Panthers didn't make the playoffs; the Oilers out in Round 1.
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