ANAHEIM, Calif. — Sunday night was exciting as the Anaheim Ducks staged a remarkable comeback in Game 4 of their playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers. After falling behind by two goals in the first period, the Ducks fought back to win 4-3 in overtime, putting them ahead 3-1 in the series.
Ryan Poehling scored the game-winner just over two minutes into overtime. It wasn’t without drama, though. Officials reviewed his goal to verify if the puck had fully crossed the line. After checking the video, they confirmed it did.
Now, the Ducks have the chance to eliminate the Oilers, the defending Western Conference champions, in Game 5 in Edmonton.
The Oilers made a change by starting Tristan Jarry instead of Connor Ingram. Jarry managed to stop 34 of 38 shots. Early on, the Oilers looked strong. Kasperi Kapanen scored 38 seconds in, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins boosted their lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal.
But the Ducks didn’t back down. They capitalized in the second period with power-play goals from Cutter Gauthier and Mikael Granlund, tying the game at 2.
In another twist, Evan Bouchard put the Oilers ahead 3-2 with a second power-play goal early in the third. The Ducks rallied again, with Jeffrey Viel scoring a crucial goal to tie it up once more.
Lukas Dostal, the Ducks’ goalie, was impressive. He made 24 saves, including a remarkable stop against Connor McDavid late in the game. McDavid found himself in a prime scoring position but was denied twice by Dostal.
Power plays played a significant role in this series. The Oilers struggled initially but improved. They scored on their last three opportunities in Game 4, including two goals in this game. Nugent-Hopkins and Bouchard managed to find the back of the net, showcasing the potential of their power-play unit.
“We’ll be a part of this series,” McDavid said, reflecting on the team’s belief in bouncing back.
Conversely, the Ducks have excelled on power plays, scoring in all four games of the series despite ranking 23rd during the regular season. This turnaround shows their ability to perform under pressure.
As for Jarry, he faced challenges in his previous performances but met expectations in Game 4. He entered in a good position, earning a fast lead after his team scored first.
Dickinson’s return from injury also boosted the Oilers. He contributed significantly in previous games, providing stability to the lineup and preventing odd-man rushes.
Meanwhile, for Anaheim, Pavel Mintyukov had a rough start. He struggled to contain Kapanen, who seized an early opportunity to score. This setback highlights the pressures young players can face in high-stakes games.
Overall, both teams displayed resilience and potential, making the upcoming Game 5 a must-watch.
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Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, NHL
