The Anaheim Ducks entered Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference second-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Honda Center, showcasing a defensive transformation that has defined their first postseason run since 2018. Despite possessing the fifth-youngest roster in the league, the Ducks have prioritized shot-blocking and structural discipline to remain competitive in the series.
According to data from Evolving Hockey, the Ducks have allowed just 2.06 expected goals against per 60 minutes during the second round, the second-lowest mark among remaining teams. This marks a significant shift from the regular season, where the team ranked third-worst in defensive metrics while maintaining a high-octane offensive style.
Ducks winger Troy Terry, who is experiencing his first career postseason in his eighth season, noted that the team’s internal growth has been the primary driver of their success against experienced opponents like Edmonton and Vegas.
“The maturity of our team, that’s what I’ve been most proud of,” said Terry. “It’s just how mature our team’s been in some of these games, and the things that maybe plagued us during the regular season, I think we’re really ratcheting down on a lot of this stuff and playing complete games.”
Terry emphasized that the players have embraced the physical and defensive requirements of playoff hockey, regardless of their usual offensive roles.
“Guys are just really doing whatever is necessary right now, whether it’s taking a back seat offensively to make sure they’re in the right positions defensively, or hitting or blocking shots, just all of that stuff,” Terry said. “No one wants to be the guy not doing those little details right now, and that’s a testament to our group.”
The veteran winger added that the shared intensity of the postseason has strengthened the team’s internal chemistry during their series victories.
“I think we’ve always had a really close group, just being, you know, good friends, and we just have a bunch of great guys. You make bonds with people when you kind of go to battle, as we call it, just playing in these hockey games, and I think that intensity and that bond, a lot of us are going through it together for the first time, and to be able to win against Edmonton in that round, and just kind of this whole experience is just kind of bringing us all together. I don’t know if there’s really necessarily one person driving it or what, but I think what you’re seeing, you can feel in our room, just how much we’re coming together,” said Terry.
Head coach Joel Quenneville had anticipated this shift in play, noting throughout the season that he was eager to see the young core tested in a playoff environment.
“This team had some growing pains that we had to go through, but all year long, we always said, ‘I just can’t wait to get to the playoffs,’” Quenneville said. “I want to see how good these guys can be.”
Quenneville observed that the team has found comfort in the gritty aspects of the game, such as winning puck battles and maintaining positioning against stars like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone.
“The little things, plays you make along the walls, or traffic at the net, or second and third opportunities there, clearing the front of our net,” Quenneville said. “I think everybody’s comfortable, no matter who you are, whether you’re old or you’re young.”
Forward Alex Killorn suggested that the singular focus of a 60-minute playoff game has helped the younger players move away from regular-season stat-tracking.
“Maybe it’s just the fact that in the playoffs, you have to be so present in games and you don’t look forward to what your point totals are going to be, what you’re going to have at the end of the year,” Killorn said. “I think you’re just really focused on that one game. Maybe that’s helped us defend a little bit better and worry about just winning one game. I’ve been really impressed with the way the guys have played throughout 60 minutes.”
Long-time season ticket holders have welcomed the unexpected run, which followed years of rebuilding and missed postseasons.
“It was a lot easier to plan your vacations,” Shimano said. “It used to be 44 games and go play golf,” LeBeau said. “Now it’s 44 games and bonus hockey.” “I’ll take this.” “I’ve always been a glutton for punishment. But when you love a team …” “My thing is supporting a team and staying with them,” she said. “Never,” he said. “We were here when they won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and in all the good years that followed. We weren’t going anywhere. This organization is full of classy people. And now they’re looking really good again.” “They’re so young and so talented,” she said. “When you really like watching hockey and you really like a game, it’s hard to describe,” he said. “If you didn’t go anymore, you think: What am I missing? You get that FOMO.” “It was a lot of fun,” said Shimano. “You get used to that. Then, those bleak years, it was sad. You know they’re trying and they can’t win as many games as they used to. So I had no expectations for this season. It’s been quite a pleasant surprise.” “Of course, I didn’t get that benefit for a long time,” he said. “Yeah, thank you for noticing, I’m glad someone’s noticing now, you know?” Terry said. “No one wants to be the guy not doing those little details right now, and that’s just a testament to our group. You never know what it’s gonna be like till you get in this position, and the way that our team is, just being a young team, especially the way that everyone’s just bought into all of those little details. It’s just infectious, and it’s been fun to be a part of.”