Full Breakdown
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks: 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round Overview
5/3/2026, 8:31:35 AM
Second-Round Schedule and Format
The No. 1-seed Vegas Golden Knights host the No. 3-seed Anaheim Ducks in a best-of-seven series that follows a 2-2-1-1-1 format. Game 1 opens Monday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. PT in T-Mobile Arena (ESPN). Games 2–4 alternate venues as announced on May 2, with Games 5–7 slated for May 12, 14 and 16 at T-Mobile Arena and Honda Center, respectively, pending final confirmation of dates and times. This is the first postseason meeting between the two Pacific Division rivals.
Background & Recent Form
Both clubs earned their spots with six-game first-round victories. Vegas eliminated the Utah Mammoth 5-1 in Game 6, marking the franchise’s sixth second-round appearance. Anaheim upset the Edmonton Oilers in six games, ending a playoff drought that began in 2018. During the 2025-26 regular season the Ducks swept the Knights in three matchups, each ending 4-3, with two games decided in overtime.
Key Players and Coaching Staff
Vegas leans on captain Mark Stone, forward Jack Eichel (nine points in Round 1), and a power-play core that includes Mitch Marner and Ivan Barbashev. Goaltender Carter Hart posted a 2.72 GAA and .898 save percentage in the opening round. Anaheim’s lineup features forward Troy Terry (eight points), Leo Carlsson (eight points), defenseman Jacob Trouba (five points), and veteran Alex Killorn. Goaltender Lukas Dostal recorded a 3.87 GAA and .874 save percentage before being replaced by Ville Husso in Game 5. Coaching duties belong to John Tortorella (Golden Knights) and Joel Quenneville (Ducks), both of whom have multiple Stanley Cup championships.
Statistical Comparison
Vegas entered the series with the league’s sixth-best power play (20 % conversion) and a postseason penalty-kill rate of 93.8 %. Anaheim’s power play surged to a 50 % conversion rate in Round 1, while its penalty kill fell to 71.4 % in the playoffs after a regular-season ranking of 27th. The Ducks hold a 3-0-0 record against the Knights this season, whereas the Knights possess a top-tier penalty kill and a strong power-play unit.
Official Statements & Ticketing
The NHL confirmed the schedule on May 2, noting that all games will be televised on ESPN or TNT in the United States and on Sportsnet or TVA in Canada. The Golden Knights announced limited single-game tickets for the series would go on sale May 2 at 2 p.m. PT, with a “Round 2 Strip” guaranteeing seats for all four potential home games. The Ducks released tickets to the public, granting Orange Alliance members early access and discounted “Playoffs Strips.” Both clubs emphasized that home-ice advantage belongs to the Knights as the No. 1 seed.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Exact start times for Games 5–7 remain “TBD,” and broadcast channels for those contests have not been finalized. NHL.com staff predictions are split, with eight writers favoring Vegas and seven favoring Anaheim, indicating no clear consensus on the series outcome.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Within this room, we know they're a good team and we have a lot of respect for (them), but we swept them this year,” — Troy Terry, Ducks forward
- “Now, we get to experience another round, and I think this is healthy for us.” — Joel Quenneville, Ducks head coach
- “Good team speed, fast team. A lot of good young skill, good veteran presence as well,” — Mark Stone, Knights captain
- “We're exiting our last series on a high note, knowing that we probably played our best game of the series and maybe the season," Quenneville said Saturday.” — Joel Quenneville, Ducks head coach
Why It Matters
The winner advances to the Western Conference Final and could return to the Stanley Cup Final, where the Knights hope to build on their 2022-23 championship. For the Ducks, the series offers a chance to validate their resurgence after an eight-year playoff absence. Ticket sales, broadcast rights, and local economic impact underscore the high stakes for both markets.
What’s Next
If the series extends beyond Game 4, the NHL will announce dates, times, and networks for Games 5–7. The victor moves on to the Western Conference Final, with a potential berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. Fans should monitor official team channels for updates on ticket releases and post-game analysis.
