Ducks Head into Olympic Break on a High Note with Gritty Win Over Kraken
The Anaheim Ducks closed out their pre-Olympic slate in style Tuesday night, grinding out a 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken at Honda Center. It was the kind of win that doesn’t just show up in the standings - it shows up in the underlying numbers, too. And for a Ducks team clinging to the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, every edge matters.
This wasn’t a perfect start for Anaheim. Seattle came in riding a four-game win streak and made life tough early, clogging up the neutral zone and forcing the Ducks into some sloppy breakouts.
But Anaheim stuck with it. They didn’t abandon their structure, and as the game wore on, their commitment to possession and smart puck movement began to take over.
Let’s break down what stood out in this one - because there’s a lot to like if you’re a Ducks fan.
Winning the Battle Beneath the Surface
When you’re leading most of the night, it’s easy to sit back. Anaheim didn’t.
They drove play at even strength in every period, finishing the game with a 57.55% share of shot attempts, 55.32% of shots on goal, and 57.3% of expected goals at 5-on-5. That’s not just scoreboard success - that’s process-driven hockey.
The Ducks were patient through the early neutral zone traffic. Seattle’s forecheck forced Anaheim into some uncomfortable decisions, especially with their breakout routes.
Rather than force plays or dump and chase, Anaheim’s top three lines trusted their puck support. Defensemen went D-to-D more frequently, wingers regrouped and hit the weak side, and eventually, those subtle adjustments opened up cleaner lanes up ice.
Fourth Line Making Big-Time Impact
The line of Johnston-Washe-Harkins played just over eight minutes at even strength - but they made every second count. They combined for a goal and three assists, and their line led all Ducks forward trios in expected goals (0.79 xGF) while controlling nearly 75% of the expected goal share.
This is what you want from a modern fourth line: energy, simplicity, and pressure. They didn’t try to do too much.
They chipped pucks deep, hunted them down, and funneled traffic to the net. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective - and it gave Seattle’s defensemen and Philipp Grubauer fits all night.
Ryan Poehling Unlocking Another Gear
Ryan Poehling’s been known for his straight-line, defensively responsible game. But since being bumped up the lineup, he’s started to show a bit more flair - and this game was a great example of that evolution.
Poehling was manipulating defenders with the puck, threading clever little passes into dangerous areas, and keeping plays alive with smart puck protection. With Chris Kreider driving the net and Troy Terry finding soft spots in coverage, Poehling became the glue in that line - and the vision he showed in tight space suggests there’s more offensive upside than we’ve seen in the past.
The mix of skill sets on that second line - Kreider’s power, Poehling’s poise, Terry’s creativity - is intriguing. It’s only been two games, but if they keep building chemistry, this could turn into a legitimate shutdown trio with offensive punch.
Killorn’s Subtle Brilliance
Alex Killorn isn’t going to light up the highlight reels, but his value to this Ducks team is undeniable. He’s quietly picked up four points in his last five games, and his chemistry with Mikael Granlund and Sennecke continues to grow.
What stood out in this one was Killorn’s work at the offensive blueline. When Anaheim was struggling to move through the neutral zone, he started seeking out those weak-side defensemen and made subtle moves to buy time - a quick cutback here, a slip pass there. He was reading pressure beautifully, allowing his linemates to fill lanes and create off the rush.
These are the kinds of veteran plays that don’t always show up in the box score but make a huge difference. For younger players like Gauthier, McTavish, Carlsson, and Sennecke, watching Killorn manage those moments is a masterclass in situational awareness.
Dostal Steady Again Between the Pipes
Lukas Dostal got the nod for the seventh time in eight games and turned aside 26 of 28 shots. He wasn’t overly busy, but he was sharp when it mattered - especially during Seattle’s late push. The 23-year-old continues to show poise beyond his years and will now head to the Olympics with confidence.
Looking Ahead
With the Olympic break now here, the Ducks will send four players to represent their countries: Dostal, Radko Gudas, Granlund, and Jackson LaCombe. The rest of the roster will return to practice on February 17, with their next game set for February 25 at home against the Edmonton Oilers.
If this final win before the break is any indication, Anaheim is trending in the right direction. The metrics are strong, the depth is producing, and the lineup is starting to settle into roles that make sense. There’s still a long way to go in the playoff race - but the Ducks are showing they belong in that conversation.