Ducks Stumble in San Jose as Sharks’ Celebrini Shines
In a thrilling showdown at the SAP Center, the Anaheim Ducks found themselves on the receiving end of a late-game surge by the San Jose Sharks. Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old phenom, was the star of the night, netting his 40th goal of the season to tie the game with just 1:39 left on the clock.
He wasn’t done there-just 68 seconds later, Celebrini set up the game-winning goal, sealing a 4-3 victory for the Sharks. This performance marks Celebrini's fourth point of the night and continues his dominance over Anaheim, racking up 10 points in just three games against them this season.
Despite the loss, the Ducks remain perched at the top of the Pacific Division, albeit with a slim two-point lead. Ryan Poehling, Alex Killorn, and Troy Terry found the back of the net for Anaheim, while Lukas Dostal made 17 saves. The Ducks outshot the Sharks 31-21, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Anaheim's recent trend of struggling to maintain leads continued. After entering the week unbeaten when leading after two periods, they've now dropped two consecutive games in such situations.
Their record in these scenarios now stands at 23-1-1. The Ducks have also been slow starters lately, allowing the first goal in seven of their last eight games and 16 of their past 19 since the Olympic break.
With a record of 41-29-5 and 87 points, Anaheim is clinging to their division lead over Edmonton and Vegas. The Ducks have seven games left to solidify their playoff position, starting with a back-to-back at home against St. Louis and Calgary.
Injury Woes and Roster Updates
The Ducks are battling injuries to key players. Cutter Gauthier, their leading goal scorer, is day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained against Toronto. While the team hopes for a quick return, Coach Joel Quenneville remains cautious about his availability for the weekend.
Radko Gudas, dealing with a lower-body injury, did not play against the Sharks despite traveling with the team. His injury initially occurred in Calgary, and although he returned to face Toronto, he was sidelined again in San Jose. Similarly, Pavel Mintyukov, also nursing a lower-body injury, missed the game after participating in the morning skate.
Jansen Harkins is recovering from hand surgery and will be out for four weeks, while Ross Johnston remains week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Prospect Watch: Roger McQueen Joins San Diego Gulls
Roger McQueen, the Ducks' first-round pick in 2025, is set to gain valuable professional experience with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. After a strong freshman season at Providence College, where he earned Hockey East Rookie of the Year honors, McQueen signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Gulls. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 203 pounds, McQueen is poised to make an impact as he transitions from college to pro hockey.
San Diego is currently fighting for a playoff spot, sitting in the seventh and final position in the Pacific Division with seven games left. McQueen’s development will be crucial as he navigates this new chapter, with the possibility of signing an entry-level contract if he doesn't return to college next season.
Playoff Picture and Magic Numbers
The Ducks’ playoff magic number is eight, a combination of points they earn and points lost by teams outside the playoff spots. The race is tight with Los Angeles, San Jose, Nashville, Winnipeg, and Seattle all vying for positions. Each team presents a unique challenge, with regulation wins potentially serving as a tiebreaker.
Anaheim’s journey to secure their first playoff berth since 2018 is filled with challenges, but the Ducks are determined to rise above and clinch their spot in the postseason. As the regular season winds down, every game becomes crucial in this high-stakes race.