“We’re still in a really tough spot. We’ve got to find a way to win in a tough building. All we did is survive one more day. The pressure is still on us, but it’s a big game for them too,” McDavid admitted, via NHL.com. “I’m sure they’ll be feeling that too. I’m sure they’re not going to want to come back to Edmonton. Pressure on them. We’ve got to find a way to survive another day.”

The Oilers will only face elimination games going forward in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Edmonton must take it one game at a time, though. If McDavid and company get too far ahead of themselves, they might run into even more trouble.

Ducks sense the pressure as Oilers put up a fight

Though the Oilers’ backs are against the wall, the Ducks aren’t in for a walk in the park, either. If Anaheim can’t close out the series in Game 6, it will be in for a cortisol-spiking Game 7 back in the Gateway to the North.

Though the Ducks’ squad features several NHL veterans, they may not be able to withstand a win-or-go-home matchup against the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and company. Something’s clicked for Edmonton. Maybe, playing with no margin for error was all the Oilers needed to find their best hockey.

McDavid is back, and so are the Oilers

The McDavid-Draisaitl duo came to life in Game 5, as they combined for two goals in the 4-1 triumph. McDavid has been battling through a lower-body setback since Game 2. However, during the Oilers’ third home game of the series, he finally looked like his best self again. As a result, McDavid ended the night with two assists and—most importantly—a crucial win to keep his team’s NHL season alive.

Perhaps the series’ momentum has shifted. Anaheim may have its last chance to send Edmonton home in Orange County. Yet if the series returns to Alberta, it might as well be all she wrote for the Ducks. McDavid said it best: the pressure is still on the Oilers to survive one more day in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the Ducks are surely growing anxious as they realize Edmonton refuses to go out.

If Edmonton makes it out of California in one piece, it will become a whole new series. Against all odds, the Oilers may force a Game 7, and anything can happen in a one-game showdown.

McDavid has been battling through a lower-body injury so far in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the Oilers’ captain has appeared in all four games so far in the first round, he could miss the upcoming showdown in which his team will face elimination.

In addition to McDavid, Jason Dickinson—who missed Games 2 and 3 of the series against the Ducks—is considered day-to-day and will be a game-time decision as well. If neither is able to dress for Game 5 at Rogers Place, Edmonton will be in for a very steep climb.

What happened to McDavid?

McDavid got tangled up with teammate Mattias Ekholm during Game 2 of the opening-round series against Anaheim. Immediately after the freak accident, McDavid felt pain in his right ankle and struggled to put any weight on that leg. After trying to shake the pain off, he left the game momentarily to be checked by the Oilers’ medical staff.

He returned to the game and has appeared in both Games 3 and 4. However, as he missed the team’s practice before Game 5 and Knoblauch failed to provide a clear update on him, signs indicate McDavid could miss the biggest game of the season for the Oilers—and possibly the last.

McDavid’s playoff stats

McDavid has never missed a postseason game for Edmonton in his NHL career. So far, McDavid has played 100 Stanley Cup playoff games, recording 154 points (45 goals and 109 assists). Through the opening four games of the first-round matchup against Anaheim, the best player in Edmonton—and the league—has put up four points (one goal and three assists).

McDavid has been far from his best hockey—likely due to the injury he’s playing through—but the Oilers still need him on the ice if they want any chance of overcoming a 3-1 series deficit.

Next man up for the Oilers

The Oilers’ hopes will be in the hands of Leon Draisaitl, who was rushed back after missing 14 games in the regular season ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The German star leads the team with seven points (one goal and six assists).

Kasperi Kapanen is the leading goal scorer with four tallies. If McDavid and Dickinson aren’t healthy enough to go, Knoblauch and company will need the unsung hero to continue his red-hot streak in order to stay alive. Perhaps it’s too late for Edmonton to salvage its season—and its Stanley Cup dream.

The Oilers have yet to rule Draisaitl’s in or out for Game 1 against the Ducks at Rogers Place. In fact, Sportsnet reports that Draisaitl will be a game-time decision. The German star missed the final 14 games of the regular season after being placed on Injured Reserve (IR). However, Draisaitl has been practicing with his teammates since April 13.

While his status remains officially uncertain, the fact that he practiced with no limitations on the second line during Edmonton’s Sunday session suggests he is trending toward a return as the Oilers kick off their road to redemption in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Back on Oilers’ power play and on a regular line, it certainly appears Leon Draisaitl is set for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Sportsnet’s Gene Principe reported on his X account.

Oilers need Draisaitl

Coming off consecutive Stanley Cup Final losses, Connor McDavid and company are desperate to add a sixth championship to the Oilers’ legacy. While the path ahead will not be easy, having a healthy Leon Draisaitl back could go a long way. Despite his 17-game absence, Draisaitl finished the campaign with 16 power-play goals (PPG), leading the team in that category.

Draisaitl’s potential return strikes fear into the Ducks—and the rest of the league; when he and McDavid are firing on all cylinders, opponents have few answers, especially when Edmonton is on the man-advantage.

Oilers’ power play meets Ducks’ penalty kill

Edmonton finished the 2025–26 regular season with the NHL’s top-ranked power play, operating at a 30.6 PP%. Special teams are always crucial in the postseason, and this dominance has fueled the Oilers’ deep runs in recent years.

Conversely, the Ducks have struggled to kill off penalties, recording the sixth-worst penalty kill in the league at 76.4%. If Draisaitl remains active for the entire series, Anaheim must stay disciplined, or the matchup could quickly get out of hand.

This young Orange County squad lacks playoff experience and may find itself wet behind the ears against a redemption-seeking Edmonton group. Ultimately, McDavid and Draisaitl are determined to bring Lord Stanley back to Alberta and restore Edmonton’s status as the City of Champions.

Joel Quenneville‘s team snapped an eight-year playoff drought, but their final position in the Western Conference remains undecided. They arrive with 90 points and locked in a tight Pacific Division race alongside teams like the Oilers.

Meanwhile, Andrew Brunette‘s team has already been eliminated from playoff contention, but the Predators still bring competitive form into the finale and recently defeated Anaheim 5-0 in their last meeting.

What happens if Ducks beat Predators today?

If the Anaheim Ducks beat the Nashville Predators, they earn 2 points and can move up to second place in the Pacific Division if the Edmonton Oilers lose in regulation, improving their playoff seeding and first-round matchup.

That jump is critical for playoff positioning. Finishing second would likely set up a first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, while remaining in third would mean facing the Edmonton Oilers instead.

What happens if Ducks and Predators tie today?

If the Ducks and Predators are tied after regulation, Anaheim secures at least 1 point, while the overtime or shootout winner earns 2 and the loser gets 1, keeping their playoff seeding scenario open.

There are no ties in the NHL standings, so any game tied after 60 minutes goes to overtime. That guarantees them at least one point, which can still be valuable in a tightly packed race where a single point can determine final seeding.

They could still finish in a Pacific Division spot, but would need other results to go their way to avoid slipping into a wild-card position, where the playoff path becomes significantly tougher.

What happens if Ducks lose to Predators today?

If the Ducks lose in regulation, they earn 0 points, while an overtime or shootout loss gives them 1 point, and either outcome could push them toward a wild-card spot in the Western Conference standings.

Even though Anaheim has already clinched a playoff berth, their margin in the standings remains tight. A regulation loss would leave them exposed to being overtaken by nearby teams, potentially dropping them out of the top three.

That shift would have major consequences. Instead of a divisional matchup, the Ducks would likely face a top-seeded team in the first round—most notably the Colorado Avalanche, who finished with the best record in the conference.

“Stand behind my own mistakes. I want to address it myself,” Gudas admitted about his decision to play through injury and be active against the Maple Leafs, via The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel.

It’s not the first time Gudas has opened up about the aftermath of his knee-on-knee hit against Matthews. Gudas recently returned from his five-game suspension and admitted to feeling terrible about Matthews‘ Grade 3 MCL tear and quadriceps contusion in his right leg. Toronto’s captain is out for the remainder of the NHL season, and his timeline for the 2026–27 campaign remains up in the air.

However, this will be the first time Gudas and the Ducks face the Maple Leafs since their last meeting at Scotiabank Arena. Many players on the Buds revealed they wished they had jumped in and intervened after their captain went down with an injury. This time around, it feels like they won’t make the same mistake. Orange County may be stained red as the stage is now set for a bloodbath.

The NHL is bracing for a grudge match

Though in opposite conferences in the NHL, there will be no shortage of vitriol when the Ducks and Maple Leafs take to the ice at Honda Center. Referees will have their hands full as Toronto will go after Gudas all night long.

Needless to say, neither Gudas nor the rest of the Ducks will serve as a training dummy for their uninvited guests. If the zebras don’t keep both teams at bay from the start, it will get ugly really quickly. Such is the anticipation around the league that president of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, George Parros, will be in attendance in “The Heart of the City”.

Opposite presents for Ducks and Leafs

The Maple Leafs are essentially eliminated from playoff contention. Losing their captain for the remainder of the campaign only adds insult to injury, and this chance at revenge over the Ducks may be the only thing left for Toronto to look forward in its schedule.

Meanwhile, the Ducks are sitting on first place in the Pacific Division and are just inches away from clinching a playoff spot. As much as they want to hold their ground and fight back the incoming Leaf surge, the Ducks can’t lose sight of the bigger picture. The Ducks can’t afford to miss key players and receive suspensions.

However, they can’t put their players in harm’s way, either, as the Leafs may unleash their wrath. With Parros in attendance, the league may be looking to make an example of this showdown. Toronto can live with suspensions; Anaheim simply can’t. In more ways than one, the Ducks face a conflict of interest, whereas the Maple Leafs are on a mission to avenge Matthews.

“I really hate the way it ended up, the point of contact,” Gudas admitted, via Sportsnet. “I never want to injure anybody out there. I feel terrible about the outcome. I’ve got to learn. I’ve got to be better as a hockey player. It’s very unfortunate. I reached out to [Matthews], too. We spoke.”

Gudas’ reputation in the NHL has always centered around his aggressive playstyle. It’s no wonder he’s earned the nickname: “The Butcher”. However, the Ducks‘ blueliner has found himself in the eye of the storm recently due to two separate injuries to league icons, Sidney Crosby and Auston Matthews.

Gudas was involved in Crosby’s injury

During Team Canada’s quarterfinal matchup with Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Gudas finished a check on Crosby, who went down in pain. Contrary to Matthews’ injury, there wasn’t any sign of ill intent from Gudas.

It was more of a freak accident. Crosby was stumbling, and his leg got caught awkwardly. When Gudas hit him high, the lower-body injury occurred. Canada lost its captain and Crosby went on to miss the semifinals, the final, and 11 games in the NHL.

As a result, fans both in the Great White North and the City of Bridges made a public outcry against Gudas. For Canadians in Toronto, that sentiment was only magnified after Gudas injured Matthews in a play that looked ugly from the start.

Gudas’ suspension history

Due to his style of play, Gudas has often found himself in the receiving end of supplementary discipline and sanctions. So far in his NHL career, the Department of Player Safety has suspended him five times. Indeed, the latest is his first in over seven years, but it’s yet another warning about the Czech enforcer’s reckless tendencies.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli highlighted that this is Sennecke’s second citation under the league’s enforcement policy this season, noting that the fine aligns with the standard disciplinary measures applied in these cases.

Sennecke, who has appeared in 70 games during the 2025-26 season, recording 21 goals and 33 assists for 54 points. The fine, though financially minor, underscores the importance of discipline as the young forward continues to develop his NHL career.

NHL monitoring system and escalating discipline

The NHL Hockey Operations Department closely monitors every game, logging penalties and reviewing uncalled plays related to diving and embellishment. This system ensures consistency in enforcement and accountability across the league.

Sennecke’s first citation came after an incident against the St. Louis Blues on March 8, which resulted in a warning. His second offense, tied to a March 15 game against the Montreal Canadiens, led to the fine. On that play, Canadiens forward Josh Anderson was also penalized for holding, illustrating how embellishment often occurs alongside legitimate infractions.

What comes next for Sennecke and repeat offenders

With two citations already recorded, Sennecke now faces escalating consequences if additional violations occur. A third citation would result in a $3,000 fine, followed by $4,000 for a fourth and $5,000 for each subsequent offense.

For a young player, these measures serve as both deterrent and developmental checkpoint. The Ducks will expect Sennecke to adjust quickly, as maintaining discipline is critical not only for avoiding fines but also for sustaining credibility with officials and contributing effectively at the NHL level.

The star forward exited the game after a hit from Radko Gudas, who had already injured Sidney Crosby, a play that quickly drew strong reactions from the Toronto bench.

The incident occurred during the second period when Gudas delivered the hit that forced Matthews off the ice. Officials assessed the Anaheim blueliner a major penalty and a game misconduct, allowing the Leafs to capitalize on a lengthy power play.

“That’s a dirty play,” head coach Craig Berube said after the game, according to TSN. “The league is obviously going to look at it and see what the suspension will be, or whatever happens.”

Leafs respond after Matthews injury

Berube did not have an immediate update on Matthews’ condition, noting that the team will evaluate the captain further. “He’ll be looked at tomorrow,” the coach said.

Despite the tense moment, the Leafs responded on the scoreboard. Trailing 3–2 in the second period, Toronto scored twice during the five-minute power play and eventually pulled away to snap an eight-game skid (0-6-2).

Carlson had been a cornerstone of the franchise for more than a decade, and the deal marked the end of an era in Washington. He was a key part of the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship and one of the organization’s most consistent leaders on and off the ice.

Speaking after practice, Wilson did not hide his emotions about the trade, delivering an honest message to the team while acknowledging the reality of the NHL business. “Today sucks. It’s brutal,” Wilson said. “I’m sure there are some guys that want to cry. That’s the reality of it. Today you can cry and tomorrow you got to wake up and be a big boy and play hockey. We have to do our job.”

Wilson reflects on long partnership with Carlson

Wilson and Carlson shared the ice for most of the winger’s NHL career. Wilson was selected by Washington in the 2012 draft and debuted during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, meaning nearly every game he has played at the NHL level included Carlson as a teammate.

Because of that history, Wilson admitted the change feels unfamiliar for many players inside the Capitals locker room. “It’s all I’ve ever known… There’s certain guys in the locker room that are just a north star a little bit,” Wilson said. “I never foresaw like a Capitals game without John Carlson in it.”

Capitals still focused on playoff push

Despite the emotional impact of the move, Washington’s season continues. The team remains in the playoff race in a tightly contested Eastern Conference, sitting just a few points outside a postseason position.

While the trade signals a significant shift for the organization, the Capitals will now rely on their remaining core to keep the team competitive down the stretch as they attempt to stay in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Ovechkin and the Capitals are currently four points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. However, the organization is seemingly waving the white flag on the season.

Watching Nic Dowd be traded to the Vegas Golden Knights sent a disheartening message to the players, but giving up Carlson to the Ducks was a massive blow that neither Ovechkin nor anyone else saw coming. Thanks to the trade, the Ducks added a Stanley Cup-winning defenseman while most of the league was asleep, including Carlson, who woke up to the news.

After hearing the news, Ovechkin dropped a blunt admission putting the front office on notice. “Alex Ovechkin said this is the saddest day of his career personally after John Carlson was traded,” as reported by NHL.com‘s Tom Gulitti. “Keep fighting. We’re still in this,” Ovechkin said to his teammates, via The Hockey News’ Sammi Silber.

Capitals on high alert

Ovechkin’s statement shouldn’t be overlooked by the organization. With much speculation around his future in the NHL, nothing can be taken for granted when it comes to “The Great 8”. Ovechkin has yet to sign a contract extension in Washington, as his five-year, $47.5 million deal (signed in 2021) is set to expire after the 2025-26 campaign.

If the Capitals miss the playoffs after separating Ovi from one of his longest-tenured teammates, the prospect of the leading scorer in NHL history leaving could become very real. Whether he would join another organization in the league or return to Russia remains to be seen, though he has admitted to plans for a return to Dynamo Moscow.

Carlson arrives with an impressive résumé that includes a Stanley Cup championship and more than a decade of experience in the league. The 36-year-old defenseman has continued to produce this season, recording 46 points while playing a major role on Washington’s blue line.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek expressed confidence in the impact Carlson can bring to the team during the final stretch of the season. “John Carlson brings leadership, character, a high hockey IQ and a presence to our lineup,” Verbeek said. according to NHL.com. “We are very excited to add a Stanley Cup winner to complement our group and make a big push down the stretch.”

Trade details and contract situation

In the trade, Anaheim sent a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft to Washington. If the Ducks fail to qualify for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, they will keep the 2026 pick and instead send their first-round selection in the 2027 draft.

Carlson is currently in the final season of the eight-year, $64 million contract he signed with the Capitals in 2018. If a new deal is not reached before the offseason, the veteran defenseman could become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Carlson’s legacy in Washington

Selected by Washington in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft, Carlson became one of the most accomplished defensemen in franchise history. He holds team records among defensemen in goals, assists, points, power-play points and games played.

He also played a key role in the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship, posting 20 points during that playoff run. Now, the Ducks hope his experience and leadership can help guide the team as it attempts to return to the postseason for the first time since the 2017–18 season.