Venue Location
Honda Center (capacity ~17,174 for hockey), Anaheim, California. The Ducks’ home arena since 1993 features a fast ice surface that rewards skilled transition teams and strong goaltending. Anaheim has a respectable home record this season, but crowds have been moderate during the team’s up-and-down campaign. Expect a lively Pacific Division rivalry atmosphere with plenty of orange-clad Oilers fans making the short trip south.
Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 PM ET (7:30 PM PT local)
- TV: ESPN+ (national), Sportsnet (Canada), Victory+ (Ducks regional)
- Puck drop at 10:30 PM ET sharp; doors/gates open ~6:00 PM PT.
Injury Report
Edmonton Oilers
- Connor McDavid (C): Unlikely/Questionable – post-Olympic travel fatigue + possible minor hand injury; not expected to play the first two games of the back-to-back (Feb 25 @ ANA, Feb 26 vs. LA).
- Kasperi Kapanen (RW): Out – “little ailment”; expected to miss the first two post-break games.
- Adam Henrique (C): Expected back/ready – returning from long-term IR (undisclosed, missed 15+ games).
- Other notes: Oilers otherwise relatively healthy on the blue line and top-six, but McDavid’s probable absence is a massive blow.
Anaheim Ducks
- Petr Mrazek (G): Out for season – hip surgery (Feb 17).
- Leo Carlsson (C): IR (thigh) – out.
- Frank Vatrano (RW): IR (shoulder) – out (missed ~6+ weeks).
- Other notes: Ducks thin up front and in net depth but core group (Gibson in goal, top lines with Terry, McTavish if healthy) largely intact.
Recent Team Forms
Oilers (3-game losing streak entering break; ~3.0 GF/g lately, ~3.3 GA/g)
- Struggled pre-break: L 4-3 @ CGY (Feb 4), mixed prior results. High-event hockey with star power but defensive lapses without full health. Post-Olympic rust + McDavid absence a concern.
Ducks (mixed; recent W 4-2 vs. SEA on Feb 3, but overall 2-3 in last 5)
- Solid home stretches but scoring inconsistent without Carlsson/Vatrano. Strong goaltending from Gibson keeps them competitive; 3.20 GF/g, 3.48 GA/g.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
Oilers lead 1-0.
- Jan 26, 2026 @ Edmonton: Oilers 7-4 Ducks (high-scoring affair; Ekholm hat trick).
- All-time: Oilers dominate recent matchups (12-4 SU in last 16). Games often go over the total when both teams are healthy.
Key Player Matchups
- Leon Draisaitl / Zach Hyman / Evan Bouchard (EDM top units, sans McDavid) vs. Ducks top D (Fowler / Mintyukov): Draisaitl’s playmaking and Hyman’s net-front presence exploit Anaheim’s depleted forward depth.
- Troy Terry / Mason McTavish / Ryan Strome (ANA top line) vs. Oilers D (Nurse / Ekholm): Terry’s speed tests Edmonton’s transition without McDavid backchecking.
- Goaltending: Oilers (Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard) vs. John Gibson (.900+ SV% season) – edge to Ducks with Gibson’s experience and Mrazek out.
- Special Teams: Oilers elite PP without McDavid still dangerous; Ducks solid PK.
Betting Trends & Insights
- Oilers 12-4 SU in last 16 vs. Anaheim; strong as slight road favorites.
- Ducks competitive at home but 0-2 vs. Edmonton this season (if including prior).
- Total has gone OVER in recent high-scoring Oilers games; season series averaged 5.5+ goals.
Game Odds
Edmonton Oilers – 135
Anaheim Ducks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, February 24, 2026
