Oilers Struggle to Keep Up with Ducks in Game 3 Loss

Connor McDavid scored his first two points of the series for the Edmonton Oilers, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a defensive collapse as the Anaheim Ducks took a 2-1 series lead with a 7-4 victory in Game 3 of their first-round playoff matchup.

The Ducks erupted for four goals in the third period, turning a one-goal deficit into a commanding win. Beckett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson scored just 42 seconds apart early in the frame to spark the rally, with Sennecke netting his first playoff goal and Carlsson adding a backhand finish off an odd-man rush.

McDavid broke through on the power play later in the third to pull Edmonton within 5-4, but Anaheim responded with two more goals to seal the victory. Mikael Granlund led the Ducks offensively with a goal and two assists, while Connor Ingram made 24 saves for Edmonton.

The loss pushed the Oilers’ playoff goal total against Anaheim to 14 through three games, not including two empty-netters. Zach Hyman acknowledged the team’s defensive shortcomings, stating they didn’t grant themselves a chance with the number of goals allowed.

Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at Honda Center before the series shifts back to Edmonton for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Key Takeaways

• Connor McDavid recorded his first multi-point game of the playoffs with a goal and an assist.
• The Ducks won their first home playoff game in eight years, improving their series lead to 2-1.
• Edmonton has now allowed 14 goals in three playoff games against Anaheim.
• Anaheim’s young forwards, including Sennecke and Carlsson, played pivotal roles in the third-period surge.
• Game 4 will be critical for the Oilers to avoid falling into a 3-1 series deficit.