April 22, 2026 by Ryan Lotsberg

Game 2 between the Edmonton Oilers and the Anaheim Ducks followed a similar script to Game 1 through two periods. The teams exchanged goals in the first period, but just like in Game 1, the Ducks won the second period.

Related: Call Outs, Standouts, and Shout-outs: Oilers steal Game 1 from the Ducks

A seeing-eye floater from Jacob Trouba got by Connor Ingram to give the Ducks the lead early in the second frame. Alex Killorn deposited a rebound into the back of the net on a powerplay 5:35 into the middle stanza to put the Ducks up 3-1. Connor Murphy pulled the Oilers within one before the Oilers allowed a shorthanded goal that restored the Ducks’ two-goal lead. Zach Hyman deflected a puck by Lukas Dostal to keep the Oilers within one heading into the third period.

Josh Samanski tied the game, but Cutter Gauthier scored the game winner just 1:17 later. The Ducks added an empty netter to seal the 6-4 win and a split heading to Orange County.

Call Outs

I swear this won’t happen every game. Connor McDavid had a much better start to Game 2, but Wednesday night wasn’t his night. The scoreboard said it was a two-goal win for the Ducks, but one major mistake was the difference in my opinion. McDavid was carrying the puck in his own zone on the powerplay late in the second period, and he was getting pressured by Ryan Poehling. McDavid turned and made a casual backhand pass to an open wing. The problem was nobody was there. Killorn corralled the loose puck and directed it towards the net where Poehling was waiting to tip it in.

McDavid had given us an injury scare minutes before that play (more on that shortly). Normally, he likely would’ve skated out of trouble in that situation. Instead, he felt like he had to get rid of the puck. It was totally uncharacteristic of McDavid to make that decision, especially so casually. We’re talking about the best playmaker in the world making a pass without full awareness of where his teammates were. That doesn’t happen often. It cost the Oilers on this night.

This is the second game in a row that McDavid has not scored a point. That has only happened to McDavid one other time this season. It doesn’t happen often. However, we’re in the playoffs when the Oilers need him the most, and he hasn’t produced yet.

Before I get to the next section, I’ll acknowledge that Evan Bouchard made a strong defensive play moments before a goal was scored while he was pleading the referee for a high sticking penalty that was missed. Yes, he should’ve gotten back in the play instead of whining. Having said that…

Standouts

Bouchard’s numbers from Game 2 don’t stand out, but I thought his play did. Kevin Bieksa talked about Bouchard’s defensive game in the second intermission, and he was spot on. Bouchard made a number of stellar defensive plays, and he played with a physicality rarely seen from him. I realize that he was -2 tonight, but this is an instance where the stats don’t tell the full story.

Shout-outs

Samanski not only scored his first NHL playoff goal, but it was the first time he shot a puck by an NHL goalie. Samanski’s first NHL goal was the result of a Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman shooting a dribbler by Andrei Vasilevskiy. His second was intended to be a pass to Trent Frederic that deflected in off a skate. This goal was a beauty though. Samanski blasted a one-timer into the top corner from theleft faceoff circle after taking a pass from Jack Roslovic behind the net.

That sequence was initiated by Matt Savoie’s tenacious backcheck. Savoie was noticeable in Game 2 after a quiet Game 1. He tied for second among Oilers forwards with four shots, and he earned himself an assist on the game-tying goal.

Samanski wasn’t the only Oiler to score his first career playoff goal in Game 2. 33-year old Connor Murphy became the oldest Oiler to score his first career NHL playoff goal according to Jack Michaels. He calmly accepted a backhand pass from Leon Draisitl and ripped a slap shot by Dostal for the 3-2 goal. It gave the Oilers life after a tough stretch that saw the Ducks take a two-goal lead. Murphy’s only playoff experience before this series was in the Rogers Place bubble in 2020 with no fans. He finally got to feel what it’s like to score in front of a home playoff crowd. Murphy will play his first playoff game in a building other than Rogers Place on Thursday.

Wrap

Nobody said this series would be easy. The Ducks showed us why they have given the Oilers all they can handle all season long. They gave the Oilers defence fits while trying to move the puck out of their own zone in the second period. The Oilers are susceptible to allowing goals in bunches, and the Ducks are fast and opportunistic enough to score them in bunches.

Ultimately, the Oilers’ best players have to be their best players, and that hasn’t been the case. The Ducks deserve some credit for that as they have been quite detailed with stick placement when McDavid has had the puck. But, McDavid needs to be a factor.

Oilers fans have to hope the injury McDavid sustained in the second period isn’t going to be an issue going forward. Mattias Ekholm fell on the Oilers captain’s right foot after engaging with a Duck at the Oilers blue line. McDavid was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was unable to put much weight on it as he left the ice. McDavid went to the dressing room briefly, then came back out and gave it a quick 15′ test loop before deciding he was fine. He played the rest of the game, but I can’t help but think that the injury was in his mind when he gave the puck away on the 4-2 goal. He’s clearly not 100%, but few are at this time of year.

The Ducks have stolen home ice from the Oilers heading to Anaheim for Game 3. Their fans haven’t seen playoff hockey since 2018, so the building will be loud. The Oilers will be in for a tough test on Thursday in Anaheim.