Ducks Edge Golden Knights 4-3 to Even Series Behind Killorn and Sennecke’s Heroics

In a thrilling Game 4 showdown, the Anaheim Ducks showcased their resilience by edging the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 on Sunday night, leveling their second-round playoff series at two games apiece. Alex Killorn and rookie Beckett Sennecke each notched a goal and an assist, leading the Ducks to a much-needed victory after suffering a 6-2 defeat in Game 3.

Ian Moore made headlines with his first career playoff goal, while Cutter Gauthier provided a trio of assists, and Mikael Granlund also found the back of the net for the Ducks. This performance marked a significant turnaround for the team, which is making its first playoff appearance since 2018. Lukas Dostal, who bounced back from a tough outing in Game 3, made 18 saves, demonstrating poise and skill in goal.

The Ducks displayed a potent offense, scoring two power-play goals that ended a frustrating 0-for-11 skid, finally breaking through against a Vegas penalty kill that had previously been impenetrable, allowing just one power-play goal in its first nine postseason games. Sennecke started the scoring with a power-play goal, marking the second time the Golden Knights had surrendered one in the postseason, snapping a streak of 21 consecutive kills.

Killorn’s tiebreaking power-play goal late in the second period put the Ducks ahead, and Moore followed with his first playoff point early in the third. Although Tomas Hertl scored for Vegas with just over a minute left in the game, Anaheim held on for the win. Carter Hart, the Golden Knights’ goaltender, stopped 19 shots despite facing moments of pressure.

Vegas saw its three-game road winning streak come to an end, with Pavel Dorofeyev and Brett Howden contributing goals for the Golden Knights. Howden’s goal, his seventh of the postseason, came off a slick assist from former Ducks draft pick William Karlsson. Notably, the Golden Knights played without their captain, Mark Stone, who was sidelined due to an undisclosed injury sustained in Game 3.

As the series shifts to Game 5 on Tuesday night in Las Vegas, the Ducks will look to build on this momentum. Anaheim made strategic adjustments by inserting puck-moving defenseman Olen Zellweger into the lineup for his playoff debut, while Moore and Mason McTavish returned after being healthy scratches, adding depth to their roster.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.