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2 Oilers-Ducks bold predictions for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
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- 2 Oilers-Ducks bold predictions for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
2 Oilers-Ducks bold predictions for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
For the first time since 2006, the Edmonton Oilers and the Anaheim Ducks are set to do battle in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It marks the first time in literally two decades that both clubs have met outside the regular season, and their current rosters show just how much time has affected both teams.
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In 2006, the Oilers were the lowest seed in the Western Conference that had just upset the first-seeded Detroit Red Wings in the opening round, followed by a second-round series victory over the San Jose Sharks . They were led by future Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger on the blue line, along with the newly acquired veteran Dwayne Roloson in net. Up front, they featured the likes of Ryan Smyth, Shawn Horcoff , Ales Hemsky , and Jarrett Stoll.
Meanwhile, the Ducks at the time were led by a future Hall of Famer in his own right, Teemu Selanne , along with young forward Ryan Getzlaf , Corey Perry , and the combination of J.S. Giguere and Ilya Bryzgalov in net.
Things are far different nowadays, as the Oilers continue to be led by the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl , two of the best players on the planet. Edmonton is hoping to make its third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final and will also hope the third time is the charm, after they lost in their two recent trips to the Florida Panthers .
Meanwhile, this current Ducks team is making their first appearance in the postseason since 2017, and has no shortage of young talent up front, including Troy Terry , Leo Carlsson , Mason McTavish , and Cutter Gauthier .
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The Oilers also may have won two of their three games against the Ducks during the regular season, but as they’re well aware, the games are played on the ice, not on paper. Understandably, they’re excited to get going again in postseason play.
“You could tell the guys were itching for the playoffs to start, and it’s a long season for any team in the NHL,” Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said via NHL.com. “There are a lot of games, but it’s even longer when you play as long as you have the last two years, playing until the end of June and then a couple months later, you’re back at it again.
“As much as these guys love playing the game, are competitive and want to win every single night, it is difficult to get up for those long stretches, especially when they’re looking at the playoffs and what they can do. Everyone’s excited and ready for this. It’s been on their mind for a while. I think we’ve got another level to reach.”
That being said, let’s take a look at what fans could have in store for them as the series is set to get underway on Monday evening from northern Alberta.
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The Ducks will take advantage of the Oilers’ shaky goaltending
Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Just as it has been during the last several seasons, the Oilers’ goaltending remains a major question mark. Earlier this season, they decided that they couldn’t wait any longer for Stuart Skinner to regain his form and traded him in a blockbuster move to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tristan Jarry . However, Jarry has been anything but consistent himself during his career, and those inconsistencies have been on full display since he arrived in Edmonton.
The Oilers have since turned to Connor Ingram , who played the last several seasons with the Arizona Coyotes/Utah Mammoth franchise, as their hope between the pipes. It’s not a safe bet that Ingram, who will be making his first appearance in the postseason, can lead the Oilers to the promised land.
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The Ducks and Oilers will go the distance
For the last several seasons, the Oilers have faced the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round of the playoffs, but this time, it’s a fresh opponent looking to make a name for itself and spoil the party in northern Alberta.
While most would take the Oilers to win the series on paper, the Ducks have a particular advantage behind the bench in head coach Joel Quenneville, who previously led the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles and knows how to get the most out of his players in the postseason.
Quenneville and the Ducks are going to give the Oilers all that they can handle, and the series very well could come down to a decisive Game 7, which isn’t what most fans and pundits on the side of the Oilers would imagine.
Final prediction: Ducks pull off the upset and win in seven games
Related: 3 Avalanche-Kings bold predictions for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
