Anaheim Ducks End Eight-Year Drought, Clinch 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Berth
The Anaheim Ducks have officially returned to the postseason. Following a 3-2 victory by the San Jose Sharks over the Nashville Predators on Monday, the Ducks clinched a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This marks the first time the franchise has reached the playoffs since 2018, ending one of the longest playoff droughts in the NHL.
- Playoff Return: First appearance since 2018; 15th trip to the postseason in club history.
- Current Standings: 42-32-6 record with 90 points in 80 games.
- Performance Trend: Second time in club history with consecutive seasons of double-digit points improvement.
- Playoff Outlook: Most likely first-round opponent is the Edmonton Oilers (55.8% probability).
The Path to the Postseason
The Ducks’ clinch came while the team was idle, thanks to the San Jose Sharks defeating the Nashville Predators. While Anaheim has struggled recently—posting a 3-5-2 record over their last 10 games—they have successfully improved their standing over the last two seasons. The team has surpassed its previous season’s totals of 80 points and 35 wins, currently sitting at 90 points.
This growth represents a rare historical milestone for the club. The current 10-point improvement this season follows a 21-point jump last year, marking only the second time in franchise history that the Ducks have achieved consecutive seasons with double-digit points increases (previously occurring from 2003-04 to 2006-07).
Division Standings and Matchups
The Ducks currently hold third place in the Pacific Division. While they are tied with Edmonton at 90 points, Edmonton holds the tiebreaker. Anaheim trails the division leader, Vegas, by a single point.
Projected First-Round Opponents
According to simulation data from HockeyStats.com, the Ducks face a challenging road ahead. The most likely matchups for the first round include:
- Edmonton Oilers: 55.8% probability
- Colorado Avalanche: 21.0% probability
- Los Angeles Kings: 11.1% probability
- Vegas Golden Knights: 7.8% probability
- Utah Mammoth: 4.3% probability
Impact on the Western Conference
While the night was a celebration for Anaheim, it was a disappointment for San Jose. Despite the Sharks’ victory over Nashville—fueled by two goals from Macklin Celebrini—the Sharks were eliminated from playoff contention later that evening following a Los Angeles Kings victory over the Seattle Kraken. This marks the seventh straight season San Jose has missed the postseason.
Ticket and Scheduling Information
The NHL will announce the official First Round schedule once all regular season games are concluded and final standings are set. Tickets for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are available at AnaheimDucks.com/Playoffs. Fans who joined the Orange Alliance for the 2026-27 season can access “Playoffs Strips,” which guarantee tickets to all home games at the Honda Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the last time the Ducks made the playoffs?
The Ducks last appeared in the playoffs in 2018.
How many times has Anaheim made the postseason?
This marks the 15th trip to the postseason in the club’s history.
What is the Ducks’ current record?
The Ducks have a record of 42-32-6 through 80 games.
With two regular-season games remaining, the Ducks can now focus on fine-tuning their roster and strategy before their first playoff appearance in eight years.
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