Poehling’s OT Goal Lifts Ducks Over Oilers, Pushing Series to Brink

In a thrilling overtime finish, Ryan Poehling scored just 2:29 into the extra period, propelling the Anaheim Ducks to a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. This win puts the Ducks on the verge of eliminating the back-to-back Western Conference champions, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.

The Ducks showcased their resilience, battling back from an early two-goal deficit. Jeffrey Viel played a key role in the comeback, tying the game with 6:29 left in regulation. Poehling’s decisive goal came after a sharp-angled shot that trickled beneath Oilers goalie Tristan Jarry, who was making his playoff debut after being acquired midseason from Pittsburgh. A video review confirmed the puck had crossed the line, securing the win for Anaheim.

Game 5 is set for Tuesday night in Edmonton, where the Ducks will look to close out the series. Cutter Gauthier and Mikael Granlund each added power-play goals in the second period, demonstrating the Ducks’ offensive prowess throughout the series, with 20 goals scored in just four games.

Despite a solid performance from Jarry, who recorded 34 saves, the Oilers found themselves on the back foot against a Ducks team that has embraced its revamped roster. Evan Bouchard put Edmonton ahead early in the third period with a power-play goal, but the Ducks quickly responded. Kapanen had opened the scoring just 38 seconds into the game, followed by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scoring Edmonton’s second power-play goal of the series.

The Ducks’ explosive offense, highlighted by Gauthier’s fierce wrist shot and a clever give-and-go between Granlund and Leo Carlsson, proved too much for the Oilers. Despite improvements in their defensive structure, the Oilers struggled to contain the relentless Ducks, who continued to pressure and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

As the series heads to Edmonton, the Ducks are not only showcasing their skill but also their determination to make a deep playoff run.

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