For the first time in eight years, the Anaheim Ducks have clinched a playoff berth and will be competing in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The energy is high in Orange County, as fans are over the moon. But there is something that could dim that optimism and energy very quickly.
Anaheim currently has +6000 odds to win the Stanley Cup, according to FanDuel. That puts them among the worst odds among the teams that are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Ducks play one more regular-season game to determine who they will play. Ultimately, their options are a first-round series with the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, or the Colorado Avalanche. Here is the Ducks’ fatal flaw that could doom them regardless of who they play.
Ducks’ defense struggles in their own blue line
All season, the Ducks have struggled to keep the puck in their possession on their blue line. That, in turn, has caused them to allow many goals. Even if the Ducks draw the Kings, they have struggled within their own blue line. That has caused them to rank 29th in goals against. Likewise, they are 24th on the penalty kill.
Part of this is because their defensive core is incredibly young, sans Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, and the recently acquired John Carlson. Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, and Jackson Lacombe are all under 26 years old. They have had some great moments this season. Yet, they have also had issues keeping the puck. They have also turned the puck over within their own blue line, and that has led to too many chances for the other team to get chances at Lukas Dostal.
Lukas Dostal has not been efficient
Matt Blewett
The fatal flaw has been the defense. That, in part, has led Dostal to face many challenges. If the Ducks draw the Avalanche in the First Round, that means they will be taking a lot of chances. While the Ducks have limited shots lately, that likely won’t happen against Nathan MacKinnon and this high-powered offense.
Dostal was elite in a win over the Avalanche on January 21, stopping 40 of 41 shots. However, he struggled in the rematch, allowing five goals on 26 shots in a loss to the Avs on March 3. Earlier this season, Dostal stopped 32 of 35 shots in a loss to the Avalanche. If the Ducks face the Avalanche, there will be a chance he faces 30 + shots again. That might be overwhelming for Dostal, especially in a playoff atmosphere. The defense will not give him any favors, as they may set up MacKinnon, Martin, Necas, and the rest of the offense for high-chance shots.
The youth may crash
In addition to the defense, the Ducks’ top stars are all under 25. Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke all reached 60 points this season. But they are all young with no playoff experience. Additionally, all three have made critical mistakes that have cost the Ducks this season. While they are all incredibly talented offensively, they will face a team that has experience shutting down offense, regardless of who they play.
If the Ducks draw the Oilers, how will these three deal with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl? Likewise, if they face the Kings, there won’t be a shootout to save the Ducks. These three, along with the young defensemen, will need to grind out the entire game to try to maintain possession of the puck. If they face the Avalanche, they would be the heaviest underdogs in a long time, and attempt to figure out how to stop MacKinnon.
The future is very bright, and they have accomplished so much by making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But if Joel Quenneville cannot rein in his players, this will be a quick exit, regardless of who they play.
For the first time in eight years, the Anaheim Ducks have clinched a playoff berth and will be competing in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The energy is high in Orange County, as fans are over the moon. But there is something that could dim that optimism and energy very quickly. Anaheim currently has +6000 odds to win the Stanley Cup, according to FanDuel.