NHL Game Preview: Edmonton Oilers (2-0-1) vs. Anaheim Ducks (2-0-0)

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Anaheim Ducks logo

Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 PM EDT

Honda Center, Anaheim, California
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ / Prime Video, KCOP-13 (local), SNW (Oilers market)

This Pacific Division matchup is the first regular-season meeting since Anaheim eliminated Edmonton in six games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs first round. The Oilers seek revenge on the road against an undefeated Ducks team, while both sides deal with notable injury absences.

Venue and Schedule Details

Location: Honda Center, Anaheim, California.

Puck drop: 10:00 PM EDT (7:00 PM PT).

Oilers have 3 days of rest (last played Oct. 3); Ducks have 2 days of rest (last played Oct. 4). No meaningful schedule edge.

Current Records and Recent Form

Oilers (2-0-1): High-scoring but leaky start (5.67 GF/GP, 4.67 GA/GP). Results: OT L 5-6 vs VAN (Sept. 29), W 9-7 at VAN (Oct. 1), W 3-1 vs SEA (Oct. 3). Power play at 25%; penalty kill struggling (57.1%). Evan Bouchard (4G-4A) and Connor McDavid (2G-7A) leading the charge. Devon Levi confirmed starter (2-0-0, 4.02 GAA, .810 SV% in 2 GP).

Ducks (2-0-0): Perfect start with tighter defense (3.50 GF/GP, 2.50 GA/GP). Results: W 4-3 at VGK (Oct. 2), OT W 3-2 vs FLA (Oct. 4). Power play hot early (50%); PK solid (85.7%). Lukas Dostal projected starter (strong early numbers around 2.42 GAA / .918 SV%).

Injury Reports

Oilers (significant list):

Zach Hyman (LW) — undisclosed (out).

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C) — lower-body (out/IR; ~2 weeks).

Jason Dickinson (C) — foot (out; nearing possible return, practiced in lineup spots).

Matt Savoie (C) — undisclosed (LTIR).

Frederik Andersen (G) — knee (out longer-term).

Mattias Janmark (C) — undisclosed (out).

Alec Regula (D) — undisclosed (out/LTIR).

Others noted in some reports. Depth tested up front.

Ducks:

Troy Terry (RW) — hip (out/IR-NR; longer-term).

Drew Helleson (D) — lower-body (out).

Ian Moore (D) — lower-body (out).

Current Rosters / Key Contributors

Oilers

Forwards: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl (3G-2A), Vasily Podkolzin (3G-2A), Alex Formenton, Mathieu Joseph, Trent Frederic, Kasperi Kapanen, Owen Michaels, Colton Dach, Max Jones, Isaac Howard, others (Hyman/Nugent-Hopkins unavailable).
Defense: Evan Bouchard (8 points early), Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Shea, Connor Murphy, Jake Walman, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Ty Emberson.
Goalies: Devon Levi (confirmed starter), Tristan Jarry (backup; Andersen out).

Ducks:
Forwards: Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mikael Granlund, Beckett Sennecke, Frank Vatrano, Alex Killorn, Ryan Poehling, A.J. Greer, Nikita Nesterenko, Sam Colangelo, Judd Caulfield, Tim Washe, Jeff Malott, others (Terry out).
Defense: Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, Nick Jensen, Tristan Luneau, Tyson Hinds, others (Helleson/Moore out).
Goalies: Lukas Dostal (projected), Ville Husso.

Key Player vs. Player Matchups

Connor McDavid / Leon Draisaitl vs. Jackson LaCombe / Ducks top defense and centers (Carlsson/Granlund): McDavid’s elite speed and playmaking against Anaheim’s structured young blue line and two-way centers.

Evan Bouchard / Oilers PP vs. Ducks PK: Bouchard’s early point explosion and Edmonton’s man-advantage against Anaheim’s solid early kill.

Cutter Gauthier / Leo Carlsson / Beckett Sennecke vs. Mattias Ekholm / Oilers defense: Anaheim’s young scoring core testing Edmonton’s veteran and mobile pairs.

Goaltending: Devon Levi (Oilers) vs. Lukas Dostal (Ducks). Levi has wins but high goals-against; Dostal has been sharper early.

Secondary: Physical battles (Frederic/Podkolzin vs. Greer/Vatrano); faceoff and special-teams edges.

Series History

Season series is 0-0. Anaheim won the 2026 first-round playoff series 4-2 (including multiple high-scoring games and a decisive Game 6 home win 5-2). Regular-season meetings last year were competitive (Oilers took the season series edge in some tallies). Oilers have struggled recently on visits to Honda Center (winless in last six combined regular/postseason trips in some reports). All-time series is relatively even, with Ducks holding a slight edge in recent playoff success against Edmonton. Expect physical, motivated play given the playoff history.

Betting Trends

Oilers high-event (favoring overs early); Ducks tighter and perfect so far. Recent H2H (including playoffs) often saw higher totals. Public may lean Oilers on star power and revenge narrative; Ducks’ home form and Oilers’ injury issues create underdog value discussion.

Game Odds

Edmonton Oilers              – 134

Anaheim Ducks                 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, October 6, 2026

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