The Anaheim Ducks rode a dominant multi-point showcase from their premier forwards to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Sunday night. Cutter Gauthier spearheaded Anaheim's offense with a sensational hat trick and an assist, while veteran playmaker Mikael Granlund matched him with a four-point outing. Netminder Laurent Brossoit turned in an exceptional performance between the pipes, repelling 32 shots to secure the victory as the 2026-27 NHL Regular Season calendar progresses.
Pittsburgh pressed aggressively throughout the contest and generated heavy offensive zone time, but Anaheim capitalized ruthlessly on high-danger transitions. Former Duck Rickard Rakell tallied a goal for the Penguins, yet Pittsburgh struggled to contain Anaheim's top-end speed once the game opened up. The Ducks consistently punished defensive lapses, building an insurmountable three-goal cushion that kept Pittsburgh chasing the puck.
The decisive moment
The game tilted decisively toward Anaheim when Gauthier and Granlund combined on a breathtaking sequence to break Pittsburgh's defensive structure. That pivotal surge widened Anaheim's lead and completely altered the flow of play, forcing the Penguins into high-risk maneuvers that Brossoit neutralized with calm positioning.
By the numbers
- Cutter Gauthier: Recorded a hat trick with 3 goals and 1 assist to lead Anaheim's attack.
- Mikael Granlund: Factored into four Anaheim scores, tallying 1 goal and 3 assists in an exceptional playmaking clinic.
- Laurent Brossoit: Stopped 32 of 34 shots against, registering 32 saves to anchor Anaheim defensively.
- Rickard Rakell: Scored 1 goal for Pittsburgh to lead the Penguins' offensive effort.
- 3-goal margin: Anaheim's 5-2 triumph reflected an efficient, clinical display at both ends of the rink.
Brossoit's 32 saves proved pivotal in neutralizing Pittsburgh's surges, giving Anaheim the stability needed to turn defensive stops into clinical scoring strikes.
What it means
The emphatic result signals growing chemistry and offensive firepower for Anaheim during the 2026-27 NHL Regular Season. The Ducks overcame notable lineup adversity, navigating the absences of Mike Matheson due to a lower-body injury, Josh Anderson who is listed day-to-day, and Ian Moore on injured reserve. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh must address recurring defensive breakdowns while awaiting the return of injured contributors, including Ville Koivunen who was ruled out Sunday night with a lower-body injury, as well as Patrick Thomas and Ryan Graves on injured reserve.
What to watch next
Anaheim looks to build upon this commanding offensive template as Gauthier and Granlund continue to dictate play. Pittsburgh will seek greater defensive discipline and secondary scoring support as they navigate their current roster absences.