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ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks secured a thrilling 6-5 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night at Honda Center, extending their impressive recent form. Chris Kreider led the charge for Anaheim with a four-point performance, including the crucial tying goal with just 42 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Ducks, now 35-24-3, have won seven of their last eight games and are making a strong push in the Pacific Division. This comeback win showcased their resilience, overcoming a late three-goal deficit in the third period. The Canadiens, currently 33-18-10, had briefly taken the lead after a flurry of goals, but ultimately fell short in the shootout.

Kreider’s standout night included a goal and three assists, whereas Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson and Jackson LaCombe each contributed a goal and an assist. Alex Killorn scored the decisive goal in the sixth round of the shootout, securing the win for Anaheim. Lukas Dostal was instrumental in the victory, making 23 saves during the game and stopping five of six shootout attempts.

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the start. Gauthier opened the scoring just 39 seconds into the game with his sixth goal in a four-game goal streak, but Nick Suzuki quickly answered for Montreal, tying the game and reaching his fifth consecutive 20-goal season. Radko Gudas and Carlsson also found the back of the net for the Ducks, while Cole Caufield netted two goals for the Canadiens, including a pair of goals in a 4:23 span during the third period to deliver Montreal a temporary lead.

Canadiens’ Third-Period Surge Falls Short

Montreal’s late surge in the third period, fueled by Caufield’s two goals and Alexandre Carrier’s tally, appeared to put the game out of reach. Caufield’s first goal at 8:41 cut the Ducks’ lead to 4-3, followed by Carrier tying the game at 4-4 at 11:47. Caufield then completed his brace at 13:04, giving the Canadiens a 5-4 advantage. However, Kreider’s late equalizer forced the game into overtime and ultimately the shootout.

Despite the loss, Canadiens forward Lane Hutson had a strong performance with a goal and two assists. Samuel Montembeault made 28 saves in net for Montreal, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Ducks’ offensive firepower.

Ducks Remain Perfect in Shootouts

Anaheim improved to an impressive 8-0 in shootouts this season, despite a challenging shootout against Montreal. Even Mason McTavish, who had been perfect in six previous shootout attempts this season, was unable to score. Gauthier also scored in the shootout for the Ducks. The Ducks’ 19th comeback victory of the season ties them with Montreal for the NHL lead.

The game featured a disallowed goal for the Ducks early on, as a goal by Jacob Trouba was overturned after a coach’s challenge revealed Kreider was offside. This didn’t deter Anaheim, as Gauthier quickly responded with the opening goal.

What’s Next

The Ducks will look to continue their winning streak as they prepare for their next challenge, while the Canadiens will aim to rebound from this tough loss. Anaheim’s strong performance positions them well as they navigate the remainder of the season and contend for a playoff spot.

What are your thoughts on the Ducks’ comeback win? Share your opinions in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow hockey fans!

Carlos Alcaraz is rapidly ascending the ranks of tennis history, not just with his on-court dominance, but as well with his accumulating ranking points. The 22-year-old Spaniard’s stellar performance in 2025, capped by a blazing start to 2026 with victories at the Australian Open and the ATP 500 event in Doha, has propelled him to 13,550 points in the ATP rankings as of February 22, 2026. He briefly reached a career high of 13,650 points immediately following his Australian Open triumph on February 2nd, becoming only the fourth player to surpass 13,000 points in the ATP rankings.

Alcaraz’s ascent places him within striking distance of the all-time records held by the “Huge Three” – Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. While Djokovic’s peak of 16,950 points, achieved on June 6, 2016, remains a significant distance away, the records of Federer (15,903 on November 20, 2006) and Nadal (15,390 on April 20, 2009) are now firmly within Alcaraz’s reach. The possibility of surpassing these legends is becoming increasingly realistic with each victory.

A potential path to further solidify his position lies in the upcoming “Sunshine Double” – the Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. Should Alcaraz win both events, he is projected to reach 15,140 points, closing the gap to within 250 points of Nadal’s record and 763 points of Federer’s. He will begin his campaign at Indian Wells this Saturday against Grigor Dimitrov.

It’s important to note that Federer’s record includes an adjustment – the “1.9 adjustment” – applied to equalize the ranking system between pre-2009 and current methodologies. This adjustment accounts for differences in how points were awarded in earlier eras. Regardless, Alcaraz’s trajectory is undeniable, and his coach, Samuel Lopez, believes even greater heights are attainable.

“Dreaming is legitimate, always with your feet on the ground,” Lopez said in a recent interview. “Carlos has already shown that he can win several Grand Slams in a year, so the dream would be to go for all four. It is ambitious, but possible. Above all, we want to arrive in the best conditions at the big events and compete for them. Hopefully we can add more important titles; and if there are four, even better.”

Alcaraz’s dominant performance in Doha exemplified his current form. He defeated Arthur Fils in the final on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in a remarkably swift 50 minutes, conceding only six games in the entire match. The ATP Tour reported that this victory extended his undefeated streak to 12-0 for the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

The Spaniard’s journey to the Doha title wasn’t without a challenge. He overcame a tough quarterfinal match against Karen Khachanov, winning 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3. Reddit’s r/tennis forum noted Alcaraz’s initial struggles with unforced errors in the first set, but his subsequent regrouping and return to form were key to securing the victory.

Alcaraz’s triumph in Doha marked his ninth ATP 500 title, tying him with Andy Murray for the fourth-highest tally in that category since its inception in 2009. The ATP Tour highlighted that this victory came just 20 days after he became the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.

Looking ahead, Alcaraz’s performance at Indian Wells and Miami will be crucial in his pursuit of the Big Three’s records. His current form and unwavering ambition suggest he is well-equipped to continue his ascent. The tennis world will be watching closely to see if he can maintain his momentum and further etch his name into the sport’s history books.

What are your thoughts on Alcaraz’s chances of surpassing Federer and Nadal’s records? Share your opinions in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow tennis enthusiasts.