The 21st Duck, Daniel “Doc” Jacobs takes the ice with the Anaheim Ducks before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The 21st Duck, Daniel “Doc” Jacobs, center, takes the ice with the Anaheim Ducks before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Rickard Rakell, not pictured, gets a shot past Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal for a goal during the first period of the Ducks’ home opener on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Justin Brazeau (16) of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores a goal in the first period past Anaheim Ducks goalie Lucas Dostal during the home opener at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal deflects a shot by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the team’s home opener on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Ducks’ Chris Kreider, left, and Leo Carlsson celebrate after Kreider scored during the first period of the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal makes a save during the first period of the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks players scramble to keep the puck out of their goal during the second period of their home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks rookie Beckett Sennecke (45) and Cutter Gauthier (61) celebrate after Gauthier scored during the first period of the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal watches the puck go over his head on a shot by the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Anthony Mantha (39) during the second period of the Ducks’ home opener on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate after Anthony Mantha (39) scored a goal during the second period of the Ducks’ home opener on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Ducks’ Troy Terry, right, and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Anthony Mantha battle for the puck during the second period of the Ducks’ home opener on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Ducks’ Chris Kreider celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal with 1:27 left in the third period of their home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night at the Honda Center. Kreider scored two power-play goals in the 4-3 win. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Ducks’ Chris Kreider celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal with 1:27 left in the third period of their home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night at the Honda Center. Kreider scored two power-play goals in the 4-3 win. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Honda Center is lit up to start the Ducks’ home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The 21st Duck, Daniel “Doc” Jacobs, center, poses for a photo with the previous 21st honorees during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier, left, examines a fan’s flag with Gauthier’s image on it during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fans take a photo of Ducks rookie forward Beckett Sennecke, right, during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Abel Del Agulia, 6, gets his jersey signed by Ducks player Ryan Poehling during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chris Benitez of La Habra takes a selfie with Ducks forward Troy Terry during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks forward Leo Carlsson signs a portable ice rink for Katie Metzger of Huntington Beach during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks mascot Wild Wing walks the carpet to begin the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks players Cutter Gauthier and Nikita Nesterenko, center, sign autographs for fans during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fans jockey for position along the railing to get an autograph from Ducks player Nikita Nesterenko during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dianna Nguyen of Westminster takes a selfie with Ducks player Ryan Poehling during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks player Ryan Poehling, center, signs autographs for fans during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks fans scream to bring on the players for the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dianna Nguyen of Westminster takes a selfie with Ducks player Mikael Granlund during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks owners Susan and Henry Samueli, center, walk the Orange Carpet before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fans take a selfie with Ducks forward Leo Carlsson during the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ducks mascot Wild Wing and the Power Players rally fans to begin the Orange Carpet event before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The 21st Duck, Daniel “Doc” Jacobs takes the ice with the Anaheim Ducks before the team’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Honda Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ANAHEIM — It was a new season for the Ducks and one that brought the rarest of novelties to Honda Center on Tuesday night: a game that was won by the power play.
The Ducks bested the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-3, scoring their first goal and their final one with the extra man to take their first home game of the campaign.
A record 17,622 fans were on hand to see the Ducks win their 10th consecutive home opener. Just as remarkable as their power-play success was that they drew six penalties and only committed one.
“There was a lot of excitement and a lot of high-quality chances, a lot of run-and-gun,” said new Ducks coach Joel Quenneville, who received a warm welcome when he was introduced before the game. “We can score, we can make plays and the power play’s been effective. There’s a lot of positives.”
Trade acquisition Chris Kreider bookended the scoring with a pair of man-advantage markers and also had the lone assist on Drew Helleson’s goal. Cutter Gauthier added a goal and Leo Carlsson chipped in two assists. Lukáš Dostál earned his first victory of 2025-26, making 22 saves.
Justin Brazeau, former Duck Rickard Rakell and Anthony Mantha tallied for Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby and Ryan Shea each contributed two assists. Tristan Jarry stopped 18 shots.
“Special teams were going to be big, and they were the difference tonight,” Crosby said.
Some 18:26 of scoreless hockey in the third period appeared to have the game destined for overtime, but Parker Wotherspoon shot the puck over the glass to give the Ducks their fifth power play of the evening.
Just six seconds into it, the Ducks cashed in on Kreider’s redirection from the slot off a smooth setup from Troy Terry. The Penguins drew no nearer and had to take a sixth penalty to prevent an empty-netter.
“Tonight was the best [effort] yet in terms of flowing off each other and interchanging pieces,” said Kreider, who plays at the netfront. “At least those four guys. I try not to move too much. But they were just zipping it around.”
Through 40 minutes the teams were tied at 3-all after swapping goals in the middle frame.
Pittsburgh knotted the score after Jacob Trouba scrambled back into the defensive zone to get a stick on Mantha’s shot, only to see his twig break, sending the puck fluttering past Dostál with 2:59 left in the period.
After pinging the post on one trip into the zone, the Ducks took their first lead of the night on the next, 12 seconds before the halfway mark of the game. Kreider recovered the puck low in the Pittsburgh zone, sweeping it high for Helleson for a long shot that beat Jarry.
By the first intermission, the Ducks deadlocked the score, 2-2, after falling behind by a pair of goals in the first 7:01 of the contest and despite being out-shot 15-7.
With 34.7 seconds showing on the clock, they drew level. Beckett Sennecke kept possession alive for Pavel Mintyukov, whose seam pass from the left point to the right dot set up Gauthier’s snipe. Sennecke started his NHL career with a three-game point streak.
“It was a special atmosphere. They had two tipped goals, that’s going to happen, but you could just feel that (the crowd) never wavered,” Terry said. “I give the fans a big assist on at least the first two goals.”
They’d gotten on the board when Carlsson loomed at the bottom of the right circle and slid a pass across the crease for Kreider, who buried the layup for his third goal in three games as a Duck. Newcomer Mikael Granlund had the secondary assist, at the 9:42 mark.
“(Playing with Carlsson) makes my job easier. I just try to keep a strong bottom hand,” Kreider said.
The Ducks had ceded a goal 63 seconds into the game and again at 7:01, when Rakell’s fly-by deflection of Shea’s shot beat Dostál following a won faceoff by Crosby.
On Pittsburgh’s first goal, they also got a free pass to the blue paint, which Brazeau took advantage of to tip Shea’s wrister after he received the puck from Evgeni Malkin.
While the Ducks would like to turn over a new leaf after seven seasons outside the playoffs, their stick-to-it-iveness has been a quality they’ve been pleased to see persist.
“Wherever we’ve been in the standings the last few years, we’ve had a knack for comeback wins, [though] I’d like to not be in that position so frequently,” Terry said. “Whether it’s coming back late in the third or getting down two early and battling back right away, I think it’s a testament to the bond that we have in here and the belief in the room.”
Originally Published: October 14, 2025 at 10:29 PM PDT