Game 4 Showdown: Ducks vs. Golden Knights
In a critical Game 4 showdown on Sunday evening, the Anaheim Ducks bounced back from a previous disappointment to tie their second-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at two games each, clinching a thrilling 4-3 victory. Notably, both Alex Killorn and rookie forward Beckett Sennecke shone brightly, each contributing a goal and an assist to the Ducks’ effort.
Resilience and Key Performances
The win marked a significant turnaround for Anaheim, who had suffered a 6-2 defeat in Game 3. The team demonstrated impressive resilience and solid two-way play, reflecting their readiness to compete in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Among the highlights was Ian Moore’s first career playoff goal, while Cutter Gauthier‘s playmaker role shone through as he racked up three assists. Mikael Granlund also joined the scoresheet, further enhancing the Ducks’ offensive output.
Goaltending and Defensive Efforts
Goaltender Lukas Dostal was instrumental in the victory, making 18 saves to recover from his previous outing where he was pulled after allowing three goals in a shaky first period. With the Ducks providing ample support on offense, Dostal was able to secure the win, which sets the stage for a pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Golden Knights’ Response
The Golden Knights managed to score through Pavel Dorofeyev and Brett Howden, with the latter achieving his seventh goal of the postseason, highlighting the competitive nature of the series. Despite a spirited performance, Carter Hart faced challenges in goal for Vegas with 19 saves while allowing four goals. Notably, Mitch Marner continued to impress, registering three assists and extending his postseason points total to an NHL-leading 16.
Special Teams and Historic Moments
The Ducks made significant strides on special teams, notably scoring two power-play goals to snap an 0-for-11 struggle in their playoff series so far, which culminated in a historic moment. Sennecke opened the scoring with a power-play tally, marking the only second time the Golden Knights had allowed a goal while shorthanded this postseason, ending a stretch of 21 successful kills by Vegas.
Late-Game Drama
In a late-game push, Tomas Hertl found the net for the Golden Knights with just over a minute remaining while Hart was off the ice for an extra skater. However, the Ducks’ defense held steady to secure the win. The game also saw changes in the lineup as Anaheim debuted Olen Zellweger on defense while also reintegrating Moore and Mason McTavish into the roster after healthy scratches. Vegas, meanwhile, played without their captain Mark Stone, who was sidelined due to an undisclosed injury from Game 3.
