For the first time since the 2017-18 season, the Anaheim Ducks have made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Just a few players on the team have playoff experience, but if the regular season is any indication, they have a wealth of skills and talented players that can carry them through high-stakes games and past tough opponents.
They’ll be facing the more experienced Edmonton Oilers in the first round, but should not be counted out. Three players stand out among the rest as ones who will be pivotal to the team’s success in advancing past the Oilers into the second round of the playoffs and beyond.
Cutter Gauthier
It is no secret that Cutter Gauthier will be an offensive weapon for the Ducks. He was the team’s leader in goals (41), points (69), power-play goals (11), and game-winning goals (seven) in the regular season. He had a breakout season, nearly doubling his overall production from last season and proving himself as one of the best young players in the franchise.
The forward has Edmonton’s number. He tallied a point every time the Ducks faced the Oilers this season, so he knows how to read their defense and be effective offensively. He’s a fast skater with a powerful shot who makes creative plays and boosts the overall efficacy of the team. In his recent injury absence, the Ducks lost four of five games. As long as he can stay healthy, he will continue to be an MVP.
John Carlson
John Carlson is a recent acquisition who quickly proved himself to be a valuable pickup. In the regular season between the Washington Capitals and the Ducks, he totaled 60 points (14 goals, 46 assists) in 71 games. With the Ducks, he shone immediately, finishing with 14 points in 16 games and scoring his first career hat trick. He has slotted into the blue line effortlessly and found his footing quickly, especially for a player who spent his entire career with one team.
The defenseman has 14 seasons of playoff experience and one Stanley Cup championship under his belt with the Capitals. He has scored 21 goals and notched 57 assists in the playoffs, averaging at least 20 minutes on ice per game in the postseason. In the team’s Stanley Cup run, he was a playmaker, tallying 15 assists in 24 games. His veteran presence and playoff experience, combined with his two-way game, will make him critical in the Ducks’ postseason run.
Lukas Dostal
Lukas Dostal, the Ducks’ starting goaltender, has been a major key to their success for three seasons now. This season, though, he tallied a career-high 30 wins. His 30-20-4 record makes him a major reason the Ducks made it to the playoffs. Without his ability to make critical saves, the team would not have posted the last-minute comebacks, overtime victories, and shootout wins they have become known for.
He had the eighth most wins across the league and faced the 10th most shots against (1,513). He routinely makes near-impossible saves look easy and plays his heart out each game. At the end of the regular season, he finished with an .888 save percentage and 3.10 goals-against average. Dostal will need to improve those numbers to face a tough team like the Oilers, but he has proven himself effective in difficult, high-stakes games throughout his career.
Whatever the outcome, the fact that the Ducks were able to rally through the season and make it into the playoffs feels like nothing short of a miracle for the franchise and fanbase. These three players are sure to make an impact game after game, and will hopefully lead the team to the second round and beyond into a deep playoff run. They play Game 1 against the Oilers tonight.
Free Newsletter
Get Anaheim Ducks coverage delivered to your inbox
In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes – free.
