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Ducks Host Oilers as Carlsson Returns and McDavid's Status Uncertain

A revived defense powers Anaheim's push to secure its wild-card spot.

Overview

  • Anaheim resumes at Honda Center to open a seven-game homestand while holding the West's second wild-card, tied with Seattle but trailing on regulation wins.
  • Center Leo Carlsson returns after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury, while forward Mikael Granlund is out with an upper-body injury.
  • The Ducks enter the post-break schedule on a 9-2-0 surge built on stricter defensive play and an improved penalty kill.
  • Edmonton has dropped three straight and begins a Southern California back-to-back, with coach Kris Knoblauch calling Connor McDavid's availability uncertain.
  • Coach Joel Quenneville sits one victory shy of 1,000 regular-season wins, a mark reached by only Scotty Bowman.