If the lineup stays at what we expect, there will be 13 different Ducks that play their first Stanley Cup playoff game tonight.

Can't seem to avoid this place each spring. (Kidding, Edmonton. We cool).

A lot of Ducks players are making their Stanley Cup playoff debut. It's a big spotlight as Game 1 approaches in Edmonton.

Add Poehling on defending 97: "Just doing what we can. Slowing him down when we can. Making sure we're finishing checks on him. Playing physical. Kind of trying to frustrate him. He's been through it all though, so he's seen it all, but we're just going to do our best to maintain him for sure."

Ryan Poehling on the Connor McDavid assignment: "It's a big responsibility. I mean, he's the best player in the world, there's no doubt about it. The way he plays – he plays like no one else. He's so fast and he makes everything out of nothing. I think maintaining him is really all you can do."

Adam Henrique on Troy Terry finally getting his playoff shot:

“His wife gets a playoff jacket, I heard. So, exciting for him.”

“But, no, it's good. I love Troy and a lot of respect for him as a player… It takes a long time. He's been a big part of that.”

#FlyTogether

Playoffs give Ducks' Leo Carlsson a chance to be a breakout star

An injury kept Leo Carlsson off the Olympic stage. Now these playoffs against the Oilers and their two supernovas offer the young Ducks center the first big spotlight to show he's headed for stardom.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Avalanche vs. Kings Game 1: Key takeaways as Colorado begins quest for Stanley Cup

Takeaways from the Avalanche's 2-1 win over the Kings in Game 1.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Avs win Game 1 at home, 2-1. Artemi Panarin scores late on the PP but goals by Artturi Lehkonen and Logan O'Connor are enough. Scott Wedgewood makes 24 saves in win. Anton Forsberg kept L.A. in it by stopping 28 of 30. Game 2 on Tuesday in Denver.

'He’s a gamer': Ducks' Lukáš Dostál ready for the moment in playoffs

Lukáš Dostál has big games on his resume. But Monday's Game 1 against the Oilers will be his first Stanley Cup playoff start. It's a journey this Ducks goalie is eager to go on.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

All in all, a solid first period for the Kings in Game 1. Killed off an Avalanche power play. Had a couple quality scoring chances. Moore had a great one. Doughty had a golden one, backhanding a rebound just wide of an opening Wedgewood left.

That'll do it for Game 1 in Dallas. Wild, right?

Ducks have signed center Roger McQueen to a three-year entry-level contract that starts in 2026-27. After one year at Providence, McQueen is playing out this season at AHL San Diego. He's got a goal and two assists in six games with the Gulls.

What in the State of Hockey is going on here?

When it's this time of year, I've got to remember that fans say the craziest shit (more on that other site I've re-engaged with) and that I need to resist responding or even spend valuable time looking at. Keep saying to myself, "They're just passionate." Especially in my notifications.

To no one's surprise, Joel Quenneville said Lukáš Dostál will start Game 1 for Ducks against the Oilers.

Ducks power-play units:

PP1: Kreider, Carlsson, Carlson, Terry, Granlund
PP2: Gauthier, LaCombe, McTavish, Killorn, Sennecke

The Ducks are limping their way into the playoffs, desperately in need of a mental reset

Limping in with a wobbly finish, the Ducks returning to the playoffs after a long absence is filled with as much concern as there is hope.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

The Ducks' defense pairings:

LaCombe-Trouba
Mintyukov-Carlson
Hinds-Gudas
Zellweger-Helleson

Looks like this is the possible Game 1 forward lineup for Ducks:

Kreider-Carlsson-Terry
Killorn-Granlund-Sennecke
McTavish-Poehling-Gauthier
Viel-Washe-Moore
*Johnston-Harkins-Vatrano

* red no-contact jersey (not that there has been contact in workout).

Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks 2026 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs preview Edmonton has gone to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals, while Anaheim is making its first playoff appearance in eight years.

Ducks-Oilers. Might be a few goals scored in this series. A preview.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

What made Anže Kopitar great? Teammates, rivals and family discuss the L.A. Kings legend Kopitar's career, which likely will lead him to the Hockey Hall of Fame, is coming to an end.

Anže Kopitar will experience playoff hockey once more before he hangs up his skates. What made the Kings legend great? A variety of voices explain why.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings 2026 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs preview

Can the Kings make the powerful Avalanche break a sweat? Previewing the series.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

Friendly word of advice for PHWA awards voters. Whoever you decide in whichever category is the wrong choice. Well, except for Matthew Schaefer.

Man, that Norris Trophy vote is a ... whooo, lordy. It's a year where there could easily be 10 selections.

Looks like it's pretty well set as Edmonton is about to win and wrap up second place in the Pacific. Western Conference pairings.

Ducks (P3)-Oilers (P2)
Kings (WC2)-Avalanche (C1)
Wild (C3)-Stars (C2)
Mammoth (WC1)-Golden Knights (P1)

San Jose Sharks sign Eric Pohlkamp, NCAA's top-scoring defenseman

Sharks sign Hobey Baker Award finalist Eric Pohlkamp, the NCAA's top scoring defenseman.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

'I've been very fortunate': Ducks broadcaster Steve Carroll hangs up headset after 27 years

Steve Carroll was late for the initial day of his first broadcasting job. A kindly general manager gave him another shot. From there Carroll forged a 50-year career that culminated in 27 seasons calling some of the best moments in Anaheim Ducks history.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

The race to sell Seattle hockey: Inside the Kraken’s 5-year struggle as NBA looms (Gift Article) Over five years, the Kraken have made inroads. With NBA expansion targeting Seattle, there's more urgency to finally deliver on the ice.

I spent some time in Seattle this season to get a handle on where the Kraken franchise is at, after five years. Here's my look at the highs and lows for a team still trying to find its way

www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

What’s at stake for NHL playoff teams on the final day of the regular season? Games featuring Edmonton, Anaheim and Los Angeles will set the playoff bracket in the West.

Everything that’s at stake today, on the final day of the NHL’s regular season

On @theathletic.com ⤵️