Corey Perry of the Edmonton Oilers and Cutter Gauthier of the Anaheim Ducks battle for the puck in the first period of their NHL game on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Anaheim, California. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Anaheim rookie Cutter Gauthier fired in two second-period goals, helping the Ducks edge out the short-handed Edmonton Oilers 3-2 on Monday night. Backed by a brilliant performance from goalie Lukas Dostal, who made a season-high 47 saves, Anaheim secured their third win in four games against Edmonton this season.
The Oilers, missing their star players Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl due to lower-body injuries, fought hard but came up short for the second straight game in Southern California. Their playoff hopes remain alive, but they’ll likely face the Los Angeles Kings in the first round for the fourth year in a row.
The game saw a thrilling turnaround in the second period. Gauthier first tied the score with a powerful one-timer after a slick feed from Leo Carlsson. Moments later, he found the net again, driving in and lifting a sharp backhand past Oilers goalie Olivier Rodrigue. It was Gauthier’s third multi-goal game in his rookie season.
Anaheim’s Mason McTavish added a crucial goal early in the third, just seconds after the Ducks killed off a penalty. He broke away and scored his 21st of the season, putting Anaheim up 3-1.
Despite a late push from Edmonton, including a goal by Jeff Skinner with just over three minutes left, the Ducks held firm. The tension peaked when Evan Bouchard’s slap shot struck the post in the final seconds, narrowly missing the chance to tie.
Adam Henrique, facing his former team, scored Edmonton’s opening goal. It was his first at Honda Centre since being traded to the Oilers last season. Rodrigue, making his NHL debut start, made 18 saves for Edmonton.
The Oilers missed their chance to clinch a playoff spot after Calgary’s win over San Jose. Still, with four games left, they remain in playoff position, trailing the Kings by four points. The Kings lost to Seattle on the same night, keeping the standings tight.
For Anaheim, though this season won’t end in the playoffs, there are a few bright spots. They’ve gone 14-6-1 in their last 21 home games and now have six players with at least 17 goals—the most since their 2007 Stanley Cup-winning team.
Even with injuries and a tough year, the Ducks’ young talent and home form hint at a more promising future.
