What happened
Anaheim picked up a Game 4 victory on home ice to knot its second-round series with Vegas at 2-2. The Ducks now head back to Vegas for a pivotal Game 5 with the matchup reset to a best-of-three. Cutter Gauthier factored heavily in the win, posting three assists according to in-series reaction posts.
Why it matters
Holding serve at home was essential after Anaheim split the first two games in Vegas, and the win flips this into a true series with momentum riding on Game 5. A 2-2 deadlock turns every remaining game into a swing game for conference-final positioning. The result also validates Anaheim's road effort earlier in the series, as the Ducks already evened things 1-1 before coming home.
The data edge
Series tied 2-2 after Game 4. Prior results in series: Vegas won Game 1 at home; Anaheim won Game 2 on the road to tie 1-1; series returned to Anaheim split. No structured odds or advanced data available for this signal.
What to watch
Game 5 shifts back to Vegas with the series even and both teams one win from match point. Watch for lineup tweaks and goaltending decisions as the Golden Knights try to reclaim home-ice advantage.