March 22, 2017

The Ducks and Oilers battled it out at Honda Center on Wednesday night, and Anaheim came away with a 4-3 win in what could be a potential playoff preview.

Anaheim rallied from two different one goal deficits in the 1st period.  Hampus Linholm, Josh Manson, and Rickard Rakell would score three straight goal and the Ducks took back sole possession of 2nd place in the Pacific.

Jonathan Bernier made 29 saves for the Ducks, in what was his 11th straight start in net.  Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot was pulled in the 2nd period after Rakell’s 32nd goal.

“I tried to get to the middle and make a play,” Rakell said. “The first play didn’t work out, so I just tried to do something to beat the defender.”

Oilers forward Connor McDavid scored his 26th goal of the season, which came in highlight reel fashion.  McDavid leads the NHL in scoring, but after his first career goal against the Ducks, Bernier took exception by poking him in the chest later in the period.

The Ducks are still in contention for the Pacific Division title.  The are just 2 points behind San Jose, who has 89 points.

“We were lucky enough to have a 2-2 tie,” Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said. “We changed our attitude, and we’re much more competitive in the hockey game from the second period on.”

The Ducks return to action on Friday at the Honda Center against Winnipeg.