Full Breakdown
Ducks’ Overtime Goal Puts Oilers on Brink of Elimination
4/27/2026, 9:03:42 PM
Overtime Goal Seals Ducks’ 3-1 Lead
At 2:29 of overtime in Game 4, Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Poehling deflected a low-slot pass off Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse into the five-hole of goaltender Tristan Jarry. Officials initially signaled a “good goal,” and a video review confirmed the puck fully crossed the line. The 4-3 win gave Anaheim a 3-1 series lead and forced Edmonton to win three straight to survive.
Series Context
The Oilers entered as Pacific Division champions and two-time Western Conference finalists. The Ducks, returning to the playoffs after eight seasons, rely on a young core—Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Beckett Sennecke—plus veterans Mikael Granlund and Chris Kreider. Before Game 4 the series stood 2-1 in Anaheim’s favor.
Key Figures
Central to the decision are Ducks forward Ryan Poehling, Oilers captain Connor McDavid, coaches Kris Knoblauch (Oilers) and Joel Quenneville (Ducks), and defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who questioned the call. Tristan Jarry made his first playoff start, recording 34 saves.
Shot Data & Series Odds
Shot data show Anaheim controlled 55 % of total attempts, while the Oilers’ goaltending duo (Ingram and Jarry) stopped roughly 85 % of shots. The Oilers’ win probability dropped from 69 % pre-series to about 21 % after falling behind 3-1.
Official Statements & Responses
Knoblauch called the review “not very definitive.” McDavid said the team must “find a way to get a win at home.” Quenneville added, “We’re up 3-1 and every game has been a toss-up.” Jarry said the play could be seen either way, underscoring the split view.
Criticism & Opposition
Ekholm expressed disbelief: “I don’t know how they see it as a conclusive goal. I just don’t.” Analyst Elliotte Friedman noted the lack of a net-side official, questioning how the league could deem the puck “conclusively in.”
On-the-Ground Perspectives
Poehling said, “I thought I saw some white ice when I was behind the net. Then everybody was celebrating.” McDavid, playing through an ankle injury, added, “We’re in a hole, no doubt about it.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The dispute centers on whether the puck fully crossed the line; Jarry’s skate blocked the best camera view and no official stood behind the net. Review protocol required indisputable evidence to overturn the call, but none was found.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t know how they see it as a conclusive goal. I just don’t. To be honest, maybe there’s somebody that can prove me otherwise. It doesn’t really matter, to be honest. They called it a goal.” — Mattias Ekholm, Oilers defenseman
- “We’re in a hole, no doubt about it.” — Connor McDavid, Oilers captain
- “But if you ask me, that puck was across the line.” — Spencer Carbery, Capitals coach
- “I thought I saw some white [ice] when I was behind the net. Then everybody was celebrating,” — Ryan Poehling, Ducks forward
What’s Next
Game 5 moves to Rogers Place in Edmonton on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET. Edmonton must win to stay alive; Anaheim seeks to close the series and advance.
