March 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left winger Cutter Gauthier (61) celebrates the goal he scored against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Image The Anaheim Ducks were one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2025-26 NHL season. The rebuilding California team spent most of the season in playoff position, at times sitting in first place in the Pacific Division.
They could reclaim that spot when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.
The Ducks have been rolling since snapping a nine-game losing streak on Jan. 13. They have won seven straight since then and are 13-3-0 in their last 16 games. This pulled them to within one point of the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights with one game in hand. Vegas also hosts the Minnesota Wild on Friday.
“I think we’re really proud of where we are,” Ducks forward Mason McTavish said. “I feel like it’s taken a long time to get to where we are now. … We’ve just got to keep going. It’s definitely an exciting time to be in this locker room.”
Anaheim won 5-1 over the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Cutter Gauthier continued his outstanding season with two goals. This brings his season total to 31, well past his rookie record of 20 set last season. He had 55 points in 60 games, 11 more than he had in 82 games a year ago. He’s also one assist away from surpassing last season’s total of 24 assists.
“The most important thing for me on offense is getting the puck in the net and getting opportunities. Whether they go in or not, hopefully I can get some offense on my linemates,” Gauthier said. “I came here recently, and it’s nice.”
The 22-year-old, who was traded to Anaheim from the Philadelphia Flyers just two years ago, leads the team in goals and points.
Meanwhile, Montreal enters the contest looking to get back on track after losing 7-5 to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. Trailing 5-2 early in the third quarter, the Canadiens scored three goals in less than six minutes, including two in 18 seconds, to tie the game. But they were awarded a penalty late in the frame and the Sharks scored on a power play to regain the lead before sealing it with an empty-net score in the final seconds.
“This game was a close call,” said Montreal coach Martin St. Louis. “…I think we have the collective game to take over the game, dominate the game and come back in the game, but sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot a little too much during the game and maybe get what we deserve.”
The loss snapped a seven-game point streak for the Canadiens, with the team falling to 5-0-2 in that span. They are 1-1-1 since the NHL schedule resumed.
Looking for a spark, St. Louis reunited winger Juraj Slafkovsky with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield in Thursday’s practice. Slavkowski has been struggling recently, scoring only two goals in 11 games.
“We wanted to start the trip (Tuesday) on a good note, and there are positives to take from the game,” forward Josh Anderson said. “At the same time, there are things we have to continue to work on.”
–Field level media
