Ducks and Oilers Set for Thrilling Western Conference First Round Clash

Young Anaheim squad faces veteran Edmonton team seeking third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:23pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game between the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant team colors.The Western Conference First Round matchup between the young Anaheim Ducks and veteran Edmonton Oilers promises an intense, high-stakes clash of styles.Anaheim Today

The Anaheim Ducks, making their first playoff appearance since 2018, will take on the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference First Round. The Oilers, led by superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, are seeking a third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final, while the upstart Ducks are led by a talented young core including Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, and Beckett Sennecke.

Why it matters

This series features a clash of styles, with the high-powered Oilers offense facing off against the resilient, comeback-minded Ducks. Anaheim's ability to pressure Edmonton's defense and get strong goaltending from Lukas Dostal will be crucial, while the Oilers will look to leverage their dominant power play and experience in the playoffs.

The details

The Ducks are led offensively by 22-year-old Cutter Gauthier, who scored 41 goals in the regular season, and 21-year-old Leo Carlsson, who had 67 points. On the back end, 25-year-old Jackson LaCombe emerged as an elite two-way defenseman. The Oilers, meanwhile, are paced by the dynamic duo of McDavid and Draisaitl, who combined for 235 points in the regular season. Edmonton's power play, which converted at a 30.6% rate, will be a major weapon against Anaheim.

  • The series begins on Monday, April 17 at 10 p.m. ET in Edmonton.
  • McDavid had at least a point in each of Edmonton's 41 wins this season.

The players

Cutter Gauthier

The 22-year-old Ducks forward led the team with 41 goals and 69 points in the regular season.

Leo Carlsson

The 21-year-old Ducks forward had 67 points (29 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games.

Connor McDavid

The Oilers captain won his sixth Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer with 138 points.

Leon Draisaitl

The Oilers star center had 97 points in 65 games before missing the final 14 games with a lower-body injury.

Jackson LaCombe

The 25-year-old Ducks defenseman had 58 points and averaged over 24 minutes of ice time per game.

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What they’re saying

“This is all new for me, I'm just excited and I'm excited for our fan base. I'm excited for a lot of people in this organization and just around Orange County. Obviously they (Oilers) have two of the best players in the world. They create their own challenges and I'm excited, I think it'll be a good series.”

— Troy Terry, Ducks forward

“They're a very skilled young team that plays with a lot of energy and creates a lot. They're really dangerous. We're going to have our hands full and it's our job to slow them down a little bit.”

— Connor McDavid, Oilers captain

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This series features a compelling clash of styles, with the high-flying Oilers offense led by McDavid and Draisaitl facing off against the resilient, comeback-minded Ducks. Anaheim's ability to pressure Edmonton's defense and get strong goaltending will be crucial, while the Oilers will look to leverage their dominant power play and playoff experience.