The Anaheim Ducks beat the Edmonton Oilers 7-4 in Game 3 of their first-round NHL playoff series, seizing a 2-1 lead. Leo Carlsson scored a goal and added an assist, while Beckett Sennecke and Carlsson sealed the win with quick third-period goals. Connor McDavid recorded his first points of the series with a goal and an assist.
Anaheim Ducks fans erupted at the sold-out Honda Center for their first home playoff game in eight years. The Ducks jumped to a commanding victory, outscoring the Oilers 7-4 behind strong offensive play. Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal made 20 saves, while Connor Ingram stopped 32 shots for Edmonton. Ducks coach Joel Quenneville and assistant Jay Woodcroft earned praise for containing McDavid and Edmonton's top players, including Jackson LaCombe's defensive work and empty-net goal to seal the win. Other Ducks contributors included Mikael Granlund with a goal and two assists, Mason McTavish, Alex Killorn, and Jeffrey Viel from the fourth line. Beckett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson scored 42 seconds apart in the third period to break the game open. Anaheim has now scored 16 goals across the first three games despite defensive issues during the regular season. For Edmonton, Vasily Podkolzin, Kasperi Kapanen, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also scored, but McDavid's struggles continued after rolling his ankle in Game 2. McDavid said nothing about excuses, crediting the Ducks' smothering defense. Leo Carlsson reflected post-game, telling Hockeynews, “Det var skönt. När Troy kommer med pucken där så for jag den oftast på bladet. Sen måste man bestämma sig innan.” Game 4 is set for Sunday night at Honda Center.