Jackson LaCombe Shines as Anaheim Ducks Advance to Second Round

In a stunning display of talent and determination, Jackson LaCombe has emerged as a key player for the Anaheim Ducks, leading his team into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. After signing a lucrative $72 million contract extension last September, LaCombe faced skepticism from casual fans who wondered, “Who’s that?” Fast forward seven months, and his phenomenal debut in the playoffs has made him a household name among hockey enthusiasts.

LaCombe dominated his first playoff series, tallying nine points—the second-highest total in the NHL—while playing a crucial role in the Ducks’ defense against superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. His exceptional skills helped propel Anaheim to a six-game victory over the two-time conference champion Edmonton Oilers, marking the Ducks’ first playoff appearance since 2018.

During the regular season, LaCombe showcased his prowess by scoring 58 points, earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, and solidifying his status as the Ducks’ top defenseman. His performance in the postseason has only reinforced what fans and teammates already knew: LaCombe is a rising star in the league. “It’s crazy to me that people are just now figuring it out about him,” remarked Ducks forward Troy Terry. “He controls the game with his legs, plays both ends, and he literally doesn’t have a weakness in his game.”

LaCombe’s impressive ability to log significant ice time—averaging 27 minutes per game—allowed him to effectively match up against McDavid and Draisaitl, minimizing their impact. He humbly acknowledged the buzz surrounding his performance, stating, “People kept saying stuff to me, so I did figure it out, but it is what it is. I’m just excited we’re winning hockey games.”

His teammates credit LaCombe as a pivotal reason for their advancement to the next round, where they will face the Vegas Golden Knights. Both Terry and rookie Leo Carlsson, who each contributed eight points against the Oilers, believe their success was made possible by LaCombe’s leadership on the ice. “He’s one of the best players in the playoffs, and one of the best players in the league, too,” said Carlsson. “To shut down the best player in the world like that is pretty awesome.”

Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville, who spent over a decade coaching Duncan Keith in Chicago, draws parallels between LaCombe and the Hall of Famer. “They’re both comparable exactly where they were in their games at almost the same time,” Quenneville noted, emphasizing LaCombe’s dual-threat capability.

Having played four years at the University of Minnesota before entering the NHL in 2023, LaCombe has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Ducks’ defense. He led the team in ice time last season, scoring 14 goals—the most by an Anaheim defenseman since 2011. Now, with the Ducks thriving under Quenneville’s coaching style, LaCombe is eager to continue the team’s momentum. “We always knew we were a good team,” he said. “We had confidence in each other, and if people see us in a good way or a bad way, it doesn’t really matter to us.”

In injury news, Quenneville indicated that captain Radko Gudas is expected to return from a lower-body injury at some point during the upcoming second-round series.

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