It may have taken until the bitter end of the regular season, but we finally have a confirmed opponent for the opening round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And somehow, it is not the Los Angeles Kings. Yes, you read that right. After four consecutive years of an Oilers-Kings opening round, that rivalry will take a brief hiatus as the Oilers face off against the Anaheim Ducks instead. About as close as possible without actually facing the Kings, geographically anyways.
This is the first time the Ducks have made the playoffs since 2017–18. And the first time these two teams have played in the playoffs since the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. You might remember that for the ‘What do we tell Corey?’ moment.
As for the Oilers, this is their seventh consecutive postseason berth as they look to make a deep run for the fourth consecutive season, maybe even finally breaking through and lifting Lord Stanley’s Cup. Edmonton finished second in the Pacific Division for the sixth time in those seven seasons.
Edmonton Oilers versus Anaheim Ducks matchup overview
| Edmonton Oilers | Anaheim Ducks | |
| 41–30–11 | Regular Season Record | 43–33–6 |
| 282 | Goals For | 273 |
| 269 | Goals Against | 288 |
| Connor McDavid (138) | Leading Scorer | Cutter Gauthier (69) |
| Jan. 26 (7–4 W) Feb. 25 (6–5 L) Mar. 28 (4–2 W) | Season Series 2–1–0 Edmonton | Jan. 26 (7–4 L) Feb. 25 (6–5 W) Mar. 28 (4–2 L) |
| 30.6% | Powerplay | 18.6% |
| 77.8% | Penalty Kill | 76.4% |
Edmonton Oilers versus Anaheim Ducks series schedule
| Game | Date and Time |
| Game 1 | Monday, April 20 (8pm MT) |
| Game 2 | Wednesday, April 22 (8pm MT) |
| Game 3 | Friday, April 24 (8pm MT) |
| Game 4 | Sunday, April 26 (7:30pm MT) |
| Game 5 (if necessary) | Tuesday, April 28 (time TBD) |
| Game 6 (if necessary) | Thursday, April 30 (time TBD) |
| Game 7 (if necessary) | Saturday, May 2 (time TBD) |
Edmonton Oilers versus Anaheim Ducks preview
On paper, the Oilers have a decent advantage over the Ducks. A win in the season series, better scoring, better special teams, better defensive results. It seems the Oilers are going to be the favourite heading in to this matchup.
But moving deeper into the rosters and the context, the Ducks will pose a difficult threat. As we saw with the Oilers in 2017, a young upstart team making it’s first playoff appearance after a long drought will have energy and excitement. Enough that the Oilers were able to take down the experienced, perennially contending San Jose Sharks. That team this season could be the Ducks.
They have plenty of exciting, dynamic, young talent that could outpace Edmonton and take advantage of known weaknesses in depth and goaltending.
The Oilers may have the proven ability to score and dominate the special teams game, but those cannot be the only path to success. Add in the injury issues that have plagued Edmonton all season, and could keep Leon Draisaitl out to start the series, and there is a legitimate path for the Ducks to win.
Oilers playoff hockey will begin on Monday. How do you think Edmonton will fare against the Ducks? Drop a comment down below!
