Anaheim Ducks Edge Vegas Golden Knights to Level Series in 2025-26 Season NHL Playoffs

The Anaheim Ducks earned a critical 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights to even their playoff series at two games apiece. Despite playing through significant injuries to their defensive core, Anaheim held off a late Vegas push to ensure the series returns to home ice for a Game 6.

The Anaheim Ducks clawed their way back into their first-round series on Sunday night, earning a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. In a game where every inch of ice was contested, the Ducks managed to level the series at 2-2 and ensure that this 2025-26 season NHL Playoffs battle remains anyone's to win. The tension was palpable as the final horn sounded, marking a significant momentum shift in a matchup that has seen both teams dominant at different times.

The decisive moment

Anaheim's victory was built on a foundation of disciplined defensive play and opportunistic scoring during the middle frame. After a back-and-forth opening period, the Ducks managed to create a cushion that would eventually survive a late Vegas rally. The one-goal margin reflects the desperation shown by both sides as they vied for control of the series lead in this 2025-26 season NHL Playoffs matchup.

Vegas, operating without the veteran presence of Mark Stone and the physical play of the suspended Brayden McNabb, struggled to find their rhythm early on. While they pushed hard in the final ten minutes, the Anaheim defensive corps—even without Radko Gudas and Drew Helleson—managed to clear the zone and limit high-danger chances. This bend-but-don't-break approach allowed the Ducks to secure their most important win of the year thus far.

By the numbers

4-3: The final score that brought the Anaheim Ducks level in the series.
2-2: The series record following Game 4 of this best-of-7 matchup in the 2025-26 season NHL Playoffs.
6-2: The score of Game 3, which Vegas won before Anaheim's response on Sunday.
3: Key Anaheim players currently on the injury report, including forward Ryan Poehling and Radko Gudas.
1: The number of goals separating the two teams in this tightly contested Game 4.

The statistics tell a story of a series that has been balanced outside of a single blowout in Game 3. While Vegas displayed overwhelming offensive power in that outing, the Ducks have now won two of the four games played, showing they can win the tight, one-goal contests that define playoff hockey. The battle for net-front presence continues to be the primary metric of success for both clubs.

What it means

This victory is a massive statement for an Anaheim team that has been plagued by injuries throughout the early stages of the 2025-26 season NHL Playoffs. Losing Ryan Poehling for the duration and having stalwarts like Gudas and Helleson on the mend has forced younger players into high-pressure roles. Their performance in Game 4 suggests that the Ducks have the internal depth necessary to compete with a perennial powerhouse like Vegas.

For the Golden Knights, the loss represents a missed opportunity to put the Ducks on the brink of elimination. Entering the game with a 2-1 lead, a win would have given them three chances to close out the series. Instead, they must now treat the upcoming Game 5 as a must-win to avoid heading back to Anaheim facing elimination. The status of Mark Stone remains the biggest question mark for the Vegas bench as they head home.

What to watch next

The series returns to Vegas for a pivotal Game 5, where the winner will move within one victory of advancing to the next round. All eyes will be on the injury reports for Mark Stone and Radko Gudas to see if either veteran can return to stabilize their respective lineups. The Golden Knights will look to reclaim their home-ice advantage and rediscover the scoring touch they displayed earlier in the 2025-26 season NHL Playoffs.