Ducks’ Joel Quenneville achieves massive 1,000-win NHL feat vs. Oilers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Anaheim Ducks have not been in contention for the Stanley Cup for eight straight seasons. All of that will change in the coming months because of how much they have improved. It showed in their statement 6-5 win over the Connor McDavid-led Edmonton Oilers. Who could be the secret weapon in their squad? Well, it is none other than Coach Joel Quenneville who reached an insane NHL career milestone.

Advertisement

Anaheim head honcho reaches new career heights

Coach Quenneville got his 1,000th victory in the NHL. The Ducks head coach sits alongside Coach Scotty Bowman as the only two people who have ever gotten four-digit wins in the league. His record of 1,000-595-153 is still 244 wins behind the Montreal Canadiens legend but this was not in his mind entering the game against the Oilers.

The Ducks coach just wanted his squad to win so that their constant pursuit for a postseason berth would not be halted, via Dan Arritt of NHL.com.

“I wasn’t prioritizing the number. I just wanted to play well tonight and find a way to win. That was the motivation, and it turned out to be a very special one as well. It was a tremendous game as far as the unpredictability of the outcome. Both teams looked like they were in complete control of the game at some times of that game,” Quenneville declared.

Advertisement

It was such an unlikely win for the Ducks. Heading into the third period, the Oilers had total control of the game with a commanding 4-2  lead. Then, Cutter Gauthier and the rest of the Anaheim defense started heating up. In no time, the Ducks had tied the game at 5-5. With all the game-winning heroism coursing through the forward’s veins, he managed to find the rebound off Leo Carlsson’s shot to win the game.

This shakes up the postseason picture quite a lot for both the Oilers and Ducks. Coach Quenneville and Co. are just five points behind the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights. They also add more separation between them and the Oilers who are a point and three wins behind.

Momentum is clearly on the side of the Ducks as evidenced by winning eight of their last 10 matchups. Will they be able to finish atop their division when it’s all said and done?

More NHL News: