Ducks defeat Devils 4-1 to extend surge and take first-place tie in Pacific

The Anaheim Ducks continued their impressive early-season surge with a commanding 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Honda Center on Sunday night. Behind stellar performances from young stars Beckett Sennecke and Cutter Gauthier, who each recorded a goal and an assist, the Ducks extended their winning streak to three games and improved to 7-3-1 on the season. The victory propelled Anaheim into a first-place tie in the Pacific Division with Las Vegas and Edmonton, marking their best 11-game start since the 2014-15 campaign with 15 points.

The Devils arrived in Anaheim fresh off a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, but couldn’t overcome the fatigue of back-to-back road games against California opponents. Despite Jake Allen’s 26 saves and Jack Hughes’ continued offensive production, New Jersey fell to 9-4-0 as their offense sputtered for most of the contest. The loss highlighted the challenges Eastern Conference teams face when navigating demanding West Coast road trips.

Early strike sets the tone in Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils 4-1 game recap

The Ducks wasted no time establishing dominance, scoring on their very first shot just 4:13 into the opening period. Gauthier displayed excellent vision, threading a pass to Sennecke as he crossed the blue line. The young forward showcased his growing confidence by shielding Devils defenseman Dennis Cholowski with his body while charging toward the net, then slipping a precise shot between Allen’s right arm and body.

This opening goal set the tone for what would be a frustrating evening for the Devils’ netminder. The early deficit forced New Jersey to chase the game from the outset, disrupting their typically structured approach. Head into the game, the Devils were looking to build on their victory against the Kings, but the quick start by Anaheim immediately put those plans in jeopardy.

The Ducks nearly extended their lead during a penalty kill midway through the first period when Troy Terry broke free on a breakaway. Allen made two crucial saves to keep his team within striking distance, preventing what would have been Anaheim’s third consecutive game with a short-handed goal. Despite this close call, the Devils couldn’t capitalize on the momentum from Allen’s saves.

As the first period progressed, Anaheim’s aggressive forecheck and speed continued to create problems for New Jersey’s defense. The Devils struggled to establish their breakout patterns and found themselves hemmed in their own zone for extended stretches. This territorial advantage would soon translate into another goal for the home side.

Power play confusion leads to second goal in Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils 4-1 game recap

At 14:24 of the first period, the Ducks doubled their advantage in unusual circumstances. Devils captain Nico Hischier attempted a clearing pass from his own zone, but defenseman Jackson LaCombe read the play perfectly, stepping in front of Hischier to intercept. Referee Tom Chmielewski signaled a penalty on Hischier just as the play unfolded, creating a moment of confusion.

LaCombe didn’t hesitate, diving forward in the slot to sweep a pass across to Frank Vatrano positioned in the right circle. The veteran forward unleashed a one-timer that beat Allen cleanly, giving Anaheim a 2-0 cushion heading into the first intermission. The goal exemplified the Ducks’ opportunistic approach, capitalizing on a defensive breakdown at a critical moment.

New Jersey’s coaching staff tried to regroup during the intermission, but their adjustments would prove ineffective. The Devils came out for the second period hoping to cut into the deficit, but instead found themselves facing an even larger hole within the first two minutes. The back-to-back nature of their road trip began to show as their usually crisp passing became sloppy.

The momentum remained firmly in Anaheim’s favor as the Ducks’ young core continued to display the chemistry that has defined their early-season success. Prior to facing the Ducks, observers had previewed the matchup with questions about New Jersey’s ability to handle the back-to-back challenge and Anaheim’s emerging offensive threats.

Gauthier’s sharp-angle stunner in Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils 4-1 game recap

Just 1:54 into the second period, Cutter Gauthier scored what may have been the most impressive goal of the night. Working from almost no angle at all, positioned just above the goal line on the right side, Gauthier snapped a left-handed wrist shot that somehow found its way under Allen’s left pad as the goaltender protected the near post. The goal gave Gauthier his team-leading seventh of the season and effectively put the game out of reach at 3-0.

The 21-year-old former Boston College star has been a revelation for Anaheim in his second NHL season. His combination of size, skill, and hockey IQ has made him one of the league’s most exciting young forwards. The sharp-angle goal demonstrated his ability to create offense from seemingly impossible positions, a trait that has made him increasingly difficult to defend.

Allen appeared stunned by the goal, looking back at his net in disbelief. The veteran goaltender had positioned himself correctly, but Gauthier’s precision and quick release made the difference. For the Devils, now trailing by three goals, the task of mounting a comeback while playing their second game in as many nights seemed insurmountable.

Lukas Dostal, meanwhile, continued his stellar play between the pipes for Anaheim. The Czech netminder made several key saves throughout the first two periods to preserve the shutout, looking confident and controlled in his crease. His 32-save performance would be crucial in securing the victory, especially as New Jersey pushed hard in the third period.

Devils mount late pressure in Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils 4-1 game recap

Despite the three-goal deficit, the Devils showed character in the third period, ramping up their offensive pressure in search of a way back into the contest. Their best chance came when Allen made a spectacular save to deny Sennecke at the doorstep, keeping New Jersey’s hopes alive. Moments later, that momentum translated into their first goal of the night.

Jack Hughes took a pass from Dawson Mercer on a two-on-one rush and one-timed a shot past a sprawling Dostal at 7:43 of the third period. The goal was Hughes’ team-leading 10th of the season, continuing his excellent start to the campaign. For a brief moment, the Honda Center crowd grew quiet as the Devils threatened to make things interesting.

The goal sparked a furious rally from New Jersey over the final 12 minutes. The Devils generated multiple high-danger chances and tested Dostal repeatedly, but the young goaltender stood tall. His positioning and rebound control prevented second-chance opportunities, frustrating the Devils’ attempts to mount a comeback. The contrast between this performance and previous Devils victories was stark, as New Jersey couldn’t generate the sustained offensive zone time that had characterized their earlier success.

Despite outshooting Anaheim and controlling possession for stretches of the third period, the Devils couldn’t solve Dostal again. Their late push left them vulnerable to counterattacks, a risk they had to accept while trailing by multiple goals. As the clock wound down and New Jersey pulled Allen for the extra attacker, the Ducks sealed the victory in familiar fashion.

Empty-netter seals victory in Anaheim Ducks vs New Jersey Devils 4-1 game recap

With 1:54 remaining and New Jersey desperately trying to claw back into the game, Chris Kreider intercepted a clearing attempt and fired the puck into the vacant net to make it 4-1. The empty-net goal represented Kreider’s contribution to Anaheim’s balanced scoring attack, as four different players found the back of the net. The final horn sounded shortly after, confirming the Ducks’ third consecutive victory.

The win highlighted Anaheim’s ability to take advantage of road-weary opponents, having now outscored Detroit and New Jersey by a combined 9-3 score in back-to-back home games against Eastern Conference clubs. This strategic advantage of playing fresh against tired opponents has been a significant factor in their impressive start. The Ducks’ youth and energy proved too much for teams finishing challenging road trips.

For New Jersey, the loss represented a missed opportunity to extend their strong start to the season. At 9-4-0, the Devils remain in solid position, but the defeat exposed some vulnerabilities in their defensive structure and depth scoring. When Hughes doesn’t receive adequate support from his linemates, the team struggles to generate the offensive volume needed to overcome deficits.

The performance also raised questions about the Devils’ ability to handle demanding travel schedules. While their victory over Los Angeles the previous night showed resilience, playing consecutive games against rested Pacific Division opponents proved too taxing. Jake Allen’s 26 saves kept the game from becoming a complete blowout, but he received little help from his skaters in the opening 40 minutes.

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The Anaheim Ducks’ comprehensive 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils showcased exactly why they’ve emerged as surprise contenders in the Pacific Division. Their young core of Gauthier, Sennecke, and Dostal performed at levels well beyond their years, combining skill, confidence, and composure to dominate a talented Eastern Conference opponent. With 15 points through 11 games—their best start in over a decade—the Ducks are forcing the hockey world to reconsider their preseason projections.

As the Ducks prepare to host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, they’ll look to extend their winning streak to four games and further cement their position atop the division standings. The Devils, meanwhile, return home to face the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, hoping to shake off this disappointing performance and rediscover the form that carried them to a 9-2-0 start. For complete analysis and updates on both teams, visit NHL.com and ESPN for the latest coverage of this compelling 2025-26 season.