Ducks Eliminate Oilers 5-2 in Game 6, Win Series 4-2

The Anaheim Ducks eliminated the Edmonton Oilers from the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 5-2 victory in Game 6 on Thursday night at the Honda Center, winning the first-round series 4-2.

Anaheim seized control early, scoring three first-period goals on the Oilers' net, including deflections that highlighted Edmonton's defensive lapses. The Ducks outshot Edmonton throughout, maintaining a fast pace that the visitors struggled to match. Edmonton responded with a goal from defenseman Connor Murphy, but Anaheim extended its lead to 4-1 before the second intermission on an odd-man rush. The Oilers added a late tally, but the Ducks closed out the win, advancing to the second round for the first time since 2017.

The series exposed ongoing issues for Edmonton, which allowed 26 goals over six games, including eight on 15-16 power-play opportunities. The Oilers scored first in the initial five games but won only two, underscoring failures in sustaining leads and penalty killing. "Pretty much the story for most of the year. We just didn't defend well enough," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. "You usually win or lose on your defensive play. It wasn't good enough."