- Ducks score twice in final 5:48 of regulation to force overtime
- McTavish nets 20th goal as Anaheim snaps 3-game skid
- Rangers blow chance to climb Eastern Conference wild-card standings
The Anaheim Ducks authored one of the NHL's most dramatic comebacks this season, rallying from a 4-2 deficit against playoff-hopeful New York. Rookie defenseman Olen Zellweger ignited the Honda Center crowd with a top-shelf equalizer at 18:15 of the third period, setting the stage for Mason McTavish's overtime winner just 59 seconds into extra time. The victory marked Anaheim's first win when trailing after two periods this season.
New York appeared poised to strengthen their postseason position after Mika Zibanejad's power-play goal early in the third. However, the Rangers' defensive structure collapsed under Anaheim's relentless forechecking. Rookie center Leo Carlsson orchestrated the turnaround with a four-point performance, becoming the youngest Duck to achieve this feat since 2017. His chemistry with McTavish proved particularly lethal, combining for three scoring plays in the final frame.
Three Critical Insights:
- West Coast teams hold 18-9-3 record against Eastern wild-card contenders this month
- Short-handed goals have decided 23% of Pacific Division games since All-Star break
- Teams trailing by multiple goals in third periods win just 11% of NHL games
The Rangers' collapse carries significant playoff implications. Despite holding a 75% win probability with six minutes remaining, New York surrendered critical standings points. Metropolitan Division rivals now hold multiple games in hand, potentially pushing the Blueshirts out of contention. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin's .903 save percentage during this 1-5 skid suggests deeper systemic issues.
Anaheim's victory showcases the growing impact of youth in today's NHL. The Ducks' three youngest players (Carlsson, McTavish, Zellweger) combined for 8 points, outscoring New York's entire top-six forward group. This performance validates Anaheim's long-term rebuild strategy, particularly their emphasis on developing two-way defensemen through the AHL pipeline.
Regional analysis reveals Pacific Division teams now hold a .620 win percentage against Eastern Conference opponents since January 1st. This trend could influence playoff seeding, particularly for wild-card hopefuls facing California teams during crucial late-season road trips. The Ducks' ability to disrupt East contenders might reshape trade deadline strategies across both conferences.