The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Ottawa Senators 6-3 after a dominant power play performance, including four goals with the man advantage.
The Ottawa Senators started strong against the Anaheim Ducks, with Philip Tomasino, Claude Giroux, and Michael Amadio each scoring in the first period to build a 3-0 lead. Anaheim, however, began to chip away at the deficit early in the second, as Cutter Gauthier scored unassisted, followed quickly by Judd Caulfield's first goal. Caulfield then tied the game 3-3 with a power play marker late in the second frame. The Ducks dominated the third period, with Gauthier completing his hat trick via two power play goals within 36 seconds, both assisted by Leo Carlsson. Roger McQueen capped the scoring with another power play goal with just under five minutes left, securing the 6-3 victory.
Cutter Gauthier earned first star honors with a hat trick. Judd Caulfield was the second star, contributing two goals and an assist. Leo Carlsson, the third star, played a pivotal playmaker role for the Ducks, recording three assists, including two on Gauthier's third-period power play goals. For the Senators, Claude Giroux tallied a goal and an assist, while Jake Sanderson registered two assists.
Our model accurately projected the Anaheim Ducks as the favorites, giving them a 56% chance to win. This prediction was validated by a decisive performance, particularly on special teams. The Ducks' power play was lethal, converting on all four of their opportunities throughout the game, with three coming in the game-winning third period. This efficiency proved to be the ultimate difference-maker, turning a 3-0 deficit into a commanding 6-3 regulation victory.
The whole night: Cutter Gauthier's Hat Trick Fuels Ducks' Epic Comeback →
