February 27, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson Larcombe (2) fights for the puck against Winnipeg Jets left winger Cole Koepke (45) during the second period at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Image The Anaheim Ducks are rolling, even if they start slow. As they prepare to host the Calgary Flames on Sunday, the Ducks want to continue the first part of that statement but not require the second.
Entering the clash, the Ducks were riding a four-game winning streak and had won 11 of their 13 outings to sit in second place in the Pacific Division.
Anaheim won 5-4 in overtime over the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, erasing deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 before scoring three goals in the third period to secure an overtime victory.
“We have this belief that we can never escape,” forward Beckett Sennecke said. “The biggest thing about this comeback win is that we never thought it was over and we knew we could score goals.”
Anaheim has scored 19 goals in four straight games, winning all of the first four games of a nine-game home stand that began before the Olympic break.
The Ducks also erased a multiple-goal deficit to beat the Edmonton Oilers in their first outing after the break on Wednesday.
As proud as the Ducks can be of winning a league-high nine games after falling behind by two or more goals, they know that’s not a long-term recipe for success. They have also given up their first goal of the game on their first shot in the last two games.
“We have to get off to a better start because we can’t play every game like that,” defenseman Jackson Larcombe said. “It won’t work.”
The Flames arrived after losing 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
Although it was a one-goal game before the Kings found an empty net in the final minute, that was little consolation for the Flames, who recorded their fifth shutout this season and have won just three of their last 10 games.
“We were okay, but when it’s a close game, you have to find another level,” coach Ryan Huska said. “For me, that’s what it looks like on the bench. When the game gets close, there are opportunities to take the game and we just can’t do that. Whether it’s scoring goals or making better decisions with the puck that leads to a 5-on-5 goal, those are the little things that I think make the difference.”
The clash with Los Angeles was the first time this season the game was played without a penalty, but it wasn’t the lack of power play that the Flames lamented. The point was that opportunities were not created.
“I don’t think we played our best game,” captain Mikael Backlund said. “At times we did that, but we were too up and down and a little inconsistent throughout the game. We got a little bit of pressure at the end but it wasn’t the way we wanted to play. We know we can play better.”
But going forward, the Flames will be expected to bounce back against the Ducks in the final outing of a three-game road swing through California that began with a win over the San Jose Sharks.
“This is one of the easiest back-to-backs in the league,” Huska said. “It’s a short bus ride. It’s not a late night for us, so people will be ready.”
–Field level media
