Full Breakdown
Ducks Edge Oilers 7-4 in Game 3 to Take Series Lead
4/25/2026, 2:11:16 PM
Game 3 Recap
On Friday, April 24, 2026, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 7-4 at the Honda Center, giving the Ducks a 2-1 series lead. Early goals from Mason McTavish and Alex Killorn set the tone, while Beckett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson scored 42 seconds apart in the third period to extend the lead to 5-3. Connor McDavid trimmed the deficit on a power-play goal, but Jeffrey Viel’s backhand and Jackson LaCombe’s empty-net marker sealed the win.
Series Background & Context
The first-round matchup entered Game 3 tied 1-1. Both clubs entered the playoffs emphasizing tight-checking and defensive responsibility. The Oilers’ pre-series plan highlighted a low-risk, defense-first approach, whereas the Ducks relied on a fast, transition-driven style. Reality diverged: Anaheim’s “run-and-gun” play dictated the pace, and Edmonton struggled to contain the Ducks’ speed, resulting in a higher-scoring series than anticipated.
Key Players & Coaching Staff
Data & Statistics
- Goals: Ducks 16 total in three games; Oilers 8 total (four per game).
- Power Play: Anaheim 60 % conversion (3 goals on 5 opportunities); Edmonton 0 % (no power-play goals).
- Shots: Anaheim recorded 20 shots in the first period of Game 3; overall shot totals for the game were 27 for Edmonton and 30 for Anaheim.
- Goaltending: Dostal posted a .887 save percentage in the series (per NHL.com); Ingram’s series save percentage was reported as .855 (per Sportsnet) and .898 in regular-season data (per USA Today).
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Quenneville praised the team’s start, noting the “great start” and “a lot of good things” throughout the night. Coach Knoblauch highlighted defensive lapses, citing “lost coverage in front of the net” and “careless puck handling.” Forward Granlund expressed a preference for “safer” wins, while Oilers forward Kapanen acknowledged the need for “better defensive execution.”
Criticism & Opposition
Oilers players and analysts questioned the team’s defensive execution. Kapanen warned that “defensively we can be better” and that the Oilers were “shooting ourselves in the foot.” Analyst Ray Ferraro emphasized that “you can have the best game plan in the world, but if the players aren’t executing… there is nothing you can do,” underscoring the Oilers’ inability to translate their top-ranked power play into production.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on goaltender performance: Sportsnet lists Ingram’s series save percentage at .855, while USA Today cites his regular-season .898 mark. Similarly, Dostal’s save percentage is reported as .887 (NHL.com) and .888 (USA Today). The series’ power-play statistics contrast sharply with regular-season rankings—Anaheim’s 60 % versus Edmonton’s league-leading regular-season rate, yet the Oilers recorded no power-play goals. Detailed shot-type data and defensive zone possession metrics are absent.
What’s Next
Game 4 returns to Anaheim on Sunday night, offering the Ducks a chance to extend their lead and the Oilers an opportunity to rebalance the series.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I mean, if we can win every game 7-4 we’ll take that, but we’d rather play a more safe game, for sure.” — Mikael Granlund, Ducks forward
- “They've been waiting eight years for this, nine years for a win, so it was pretty special.” — Beckett Sennecke, Ducks forward
- “I thought we had a great start to the game (and) did a lot of good things most of the night,” — Joel Quenneville, Ducks head coach
- “But if the players aren't executing, especially in the defensive zone, there is nothing you can do.” — Ray Ferraro, analyst
- “Definitely got us going right from the start.” — Jeffrey Viel, Ducks forward
