After a grueling nine-game losing streak, the Anaheim Ducks finally tasted victory, defeating the Dallas Stars with a score of **3-1 on January 13, 2026.** This win was a breath of fresh air for the Ducks, who had been struggling to find their footing. But how did they pull it off? Let's dive in!
Chris Kreider and Beckett Sennecke were the goal scorers for the Ducks, while Jacob Trouba added another goal, sealing the victory with an empty-netter. A significant part of the Ducks' success was thanks to Lukas Dostal, who managed to fend off a barrage of shots in the final minutes, showcasing impressive resilience. The Ducks' win ended their 0-8-1 slump since their last win on December 20 against Columbus.
On the other side, Roope Hintz managed to score for the Dallas Stars, and Casey DeSmith made 22 saves, but it wasn't enough to secure a win. The Stars have now lost four of their last six games (with a record of 2-2-2).
Hintz's goal brought the Stars within one goal with just 2:12 left in the third period. However, Trouba's empty-net goal with 20.5 seconds remaining ensured the Ducks' win.
The Ducks faced the challenge without their top point scorers, including Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry, and Cutter Gauthier, who were out due to injuries or illness. This raises the question: Could the absence of key players have affected the Stars' performance, or did the Ducks simply play a better game?
Despite these absences, the Ducks rediscovered their early-season form, outplaying the Stars in several aspects of the game. They capitalized on a delayed penalty call to score their first goal in the second period. A strategic move by Dostal gave the Ducks a man advantage. Mikael Granlund's pass to Kreider led to a goal, giving the Ducks a 1-0 lead.
Anaheim appeared to extend their lead when Alex Killorn scored a short-handed goal, but it was disallowed due to interference. Sennecke's unassisted goal in the third period gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead.
A key takeaway is the Ducks' ability to overcome adversity and secure a win despite missing key players. What do you think contributed most to their victory?
Upcoming Games:
Ducks: At Los Angeles on Friday night.
Stars: At Utah on Thursday night.
Share your thoughts in the comments below! Did you see this game? What were your key takeaways?
