ANAHEIM, Calif. – Ryan Poehling scored 2:29 into overtime, and the Anaheim Ducks pushed Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers to the brink of first-round elimination with a 4-3 victory in Game 4 on Sunday night.
In a thrilling contest, Jeffrey Viel tied the game with 6:29 remaining in regulation, showcasing the Ducks’ resilience as they rallied from an early two-goal deficit and another third-period hole. This victory marked the Ducks’ third consecutive win against the back-to-back Western Conference champion Oilers, giving them a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
The decisive goal came when Poehling’s sharp-angled shot trickled under goalie Tristan Jarry. An extensive video review confirmed that the puck barely crossed the goal line under Jarry’s skate, leading to jubilant celebrations among the Ducks players and fans.
Looking ahead, Game 5 is set for Tuesday night in Edmonton, where the Ducks will aim to close out the series and advance.
The Ducks’ power-play unit was particularly effective, with Cutter Gauthier and Mikael Granlund both scoring during the second period. This playoff series marks the Ducks’ return to postseason action after an eight-year absence, and they have demonstrated impressive skill throughout, scoring a total of 20 goals in just four games against the Oilers.
For the Oilers, Evan Bouchard found the back of the net with a tiebreaking goal early in the third period, while Jarry recorded 34 saves in his first playoff start with Edmonton. The Oilers had previously struggled with their defensive structure, but they managed to make improvements following a difficult Game 3.
Despite these adjustments, the Ducks’ relentless energy continued to pose challenges. Kapanen opened the scoring just 38 seconds into the game, quickly silencing the sellout crowd at Honda Center, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins contributed with an early power-play goal.
However, the Ducks began their comeback with a powerful wrist shot from Gauthier, their standout scorer. Anaheim’s power play has been particularly effective, scoring in eight consecutive games, which has been a key factor in their recent success.
Granlund and Leo Carlsson worked seamlessly together to tie the game once again after Bouchard’s goal, illustrating the Ducks’ depth and skill. The thrilling back-and-forth nature of the match kept fans on the edge of their seats.
As the series continues, the Ducks are demonstrating that they are a formidable force to be reckoned with in the playoffs, raising expectations for what could be a remarkable postseason run.
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