Ducks Playoff Hopes Dashed in Overtime Loss to Canucks

Needing a win to clinch a postseason berth, the Ducks fall short in a sloppy 4-3 overtime defeat to the NHL's worst team.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:40am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of teal, navy, and crimson, depicting the angular, overlapping forms of hockey players in motion, conveying the raw energy and disappointment of the Ducks' narrow defeat.An abstract, cubist interpretation of the Ducks' heartbreaking overtime loss, capturing the emotional tension and fractured momentum of the game.Vancouver Today

The Ducks held their annual fan appreciation day on Sunday, handing out thousands of gifts to their long-suffering fans. But the one prize the fans really wanted - a playoff berth - remained just out of reach as the Ducks lost a 4-3 overtime decision to the lowly Vancouver Canucks, leaving them a point shy of the playoffs with two games to play.

Why it matters

The Ducks have been chasing a playoff spot since 2018, and this loss was a major setback in their quest to end the second-longest playoff drought in the NHL. The defeat was the seventh in eight games for the Ducks, who have tumbled from first to third in the Pacific Division standings and may now have to settle for a wild-card berth.

The details

Needing a win to clinch a postseason berth, the Ducks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Cutter Gauthier. But the Canucks scored the next three goals, including a shorthanded tally by Brock Boeser, to take a 3-1 lead. The Ducks rallied to tie the game at 3-3 on goals by Gauthier and Leo Carlsson, but Marco Rossi scored the game-winner for the Canucks in overtime, silencing the sellout crowd that had been chanting 'We want playoffs!'

  • The Ducks held their annual fan appreciation day on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • Cutter Gauthier opened the scoring 3:41 into the first period.
  • Brock Boeser scored a shorthanded goal less than five minutes into the third period to give the Canucks a 3-1 lead.
  • Gauthier and Carlsson scored to tie the game at 3-3 in the third period.
  • Marco Rossi scored the game-winning goal for the Canucks in overtime.

The players

Cutter Gauthier

A Ducks forward who scored two goals in the game, including the team's first goal and their third goal to tie the game at 3-3.

Brock Boeser

A Canucks forward who scored a shorthanded goal to give the Canucks a 3-1 lead in the third period.

Leo Carlsson

A Ducks forward who scored the game-tying goal in the third period with a spectacular backhanded shot.

Marco Rossi

A Canucks forward who scored the game-winning goal in overtime to dash the Ducks' playoff hopes.

Radko Gudas

The Ducks' captain who said the team still has a lot of work to do in their final two games to make the playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“We haven't clinched anything yet. With two games to play, there's still a lot of work to do, 120 minutes to give it our all and make that push.”

— Radko Gudas, Ducks Captain

“We just can't be satisfied with what we're at right now. We didn't make it easy on ourselves, that's for sure.”

— Joel Quenneville, Ducks Coach

“I loved it. I wanted to complete that wish tonight.”

— Joel Quenneville, Ducks Coach

“It's a huge milestone and something I'm very proud of. But that's not why I'm playing hockey. I'm playing to win games and eventually win a Stanley Cup.”

— Cutter Gauthier, Ducks Forward

“It was kind of a dagger when they score a shorthanded goal on us. It's supposed to be the opposite way. But I thought we responded really well, obviously tying it back up.”

— Cutter Gauthier, Ducks Forward

What’s next

The Ducks will hit the road on Monday for their final two games of the regular season, needing just one point from games in Minnesota and Nashville to clinch a playoff berth. They could also back into the playoffs if Nashville loses either of its final two games.

The takeaway

This loss was a major setback in the Ducks' quest to end their second-longest playoff drought in the NHL. Despite a strong start to the season, the Ducks have stumbled down the stretch, and now face an uphill battle to secure a postseason spot. Their long-suffering fans, who have been chanting 'We want playoffs!' will have to wait at least one more year to see their team return to the playoffs.