Ducks can't seal series, come out flat in Game 5 in Edmonton

Apr 28, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) and Anaheim Ducks forward Chris Kreider (20) chases a loose puck during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. EDMONTON, Alb. – It was a desperation effort for the Edmonton Oilers up against elimination, and the Anaheim Ducks ’ first round series will extend at least two more days.

Edmonton came out red hot to roll over a flat Anaheim effort, and the Oilers absorbed the Ducks late push to stay alive, 4-1, in Game 5 on Tuesday at Rogers Place. The Ducks take a 3-2 series lead back to Honda Center for Game 6 on Thursday with a chance to win their first playoff series since the 2017 second round, when Anaheim beat the Oilers in seven games. The Oilers are now 20-5 in Games 4-7 in Kris Knoblauch’s tenure as head coach.

“It was pretty evident they had more desperation than us to start the game, fighting for their playoff lives,” Alex Killorn told the Victory+ broadcast. “It’s tough to go down three-nothing against a team like that and come back…. We’re going to have a response (in Game 6).

” Leon Draisaitl’s two-goal game and Evan Bouchard’s three-assist night powered Edmonton’s survival effort. Vasily Podkolzin and Zach Hyman also scored for the Oilers. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid had two assist nights, with McDavid tying Patrick Kane for most career points in elimination games (25).