The Anaheim Ducks evened their series with a disciplined and physical 3–1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, handing Vegas its first loss in this series, push and shifting momentum heading into Game 3 in Orange County.
The Golden Knights were unable to capitalize on early special-teams dominance or sustained defensive structure. Vegas Golden Knights instead spent much of the opening period shorthanded, weathering a chaotic stretch that saw three penalties assessed in quick succession: Tomas Hertl for high-sticking, Mitch Marner for delay of game, and Jack Eichel for a double-minor high-sticking infraction. That sequence gave the Anaheim Ducks an extended 5-on-3 advantage, followed by a full 5-on-4 power play, yet Vegas’ penalty kill stood firm through all eight minutes without allowing a goal.
The defensive stand ignited the T-Mobile Arena crowd, briefly shifting momentum despite Anaheim heavily controlling play. The Ducks outshot Vegas 15–4 in the first period, but neither side was able to break through before intermission.
Anaheim finally capitalized midway through the second period. At 11:22, Beckett Sennecke opened the scoring after Jeffrey Viel located him in front of the net, where he buried the puck past Carter Hart to give the Ducks a 1–0 lead.
The Ducks continued to pressure in the third, extending their advantage on a precision play from Troy Terry to Leo Carlsson, who scored his fourth goal of the postseason while positioned in tight against Hart, pushing the lead to 2–0.
Vegas struggled to generate sustained offensive zone time throughout the night, with Anaheim effectively clogging the neutral zone and limiting transition opportunities—an area where the Golden Knights typically thrive. The Ducks continue their success of getting goals and sustained pressure in front of their opponents net.
Anaheim today did struggleon special teams, finishing 0-for-5 on the power play, but their even-strength execution and net-front presence proved decisive.
Late in the third period, Vegas pulled Carter Hart with over three minutes remaining in search of a comeback. However, Jansen Harkins gets his first goal of the postseason and sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
Hart, who has started all seven postseason games for Vegas, finished the night with another strong performance despite the loss. He stopped key chances throughout and stopped 25/27 Anaheim shots (.926 save%).
The lone Vegas goal came in the final seconds when Mark Stone redirected a Jack Eichel shot on the power play, snapping what had been a near-shutout effort by Anaheim goaltender Lukas Dostal who had himself a solid night in net. Dostal stopped 21/22 Vegas shots (.955 save%) and made key saves throughout the entire game.
Here is Mark Stone and John Torterall post game as both touch and what needs to be adjusted going into Anaheim.
With the series now tied, the Golden Knights will look to regroup as the matchup shifts to Honda Center for Game 3 on Friday, where both teams will aim to establish control in what has quickly become a tightly contested playoff battle.
Make sure to stay tuned on Vegas Sports Today for more VGK content.
