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Ducks’ rally falls short against Flames in 5th straight loss

April 5, 2026

Calgary Flames and Ducks players pile on the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

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Calgary Flames and Ducks players pile on the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

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ANAHEIM — The Ducks’ troubles continued Saturday against the Calgary Flames at Honda Center, where boos rained down from the stands after extended periods of unproductive hockey over the first two periods cast serious doubts about which team was headed for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It was the Flames and not the Ducks who looked like the more polished team, capitalizing on their scoring chances and building a three-goal lead heading into the third period. It took time, too much time, but the Ducks finally played with a sense of urgency befitting a playoff team.

It was too late, though.

The Ducks’ 5-3 loss was their fifth consecutive defeat.

Leo Carlsson’s goal cut the Ducks’ deficit to 4-2 with more than 12 minutes to play in the final period, providing a jolt of energy after they squandered an early lead by giving up four consecutive goals in transition to the Flames. Mason McTavish’s power-play goal at 9:51 trimmed it to 4-3.

Calgary scored four times on odd-man rushes or partial or total breakaways, catching the Ducks out of position and making them pay for their inattention to their own end of the rink. The Ducks had plenty of chances, but couldn’t solve the patient, hard-working Flames.

One night after looking defenseless during a 6-2 loss Friday to the St. Louis Blues, the Ducks regrouped and started with good intentions. Their best defense in the opening period Saturday was a relentless, sustained attack that resulted in a 1-0 lead midway through the first.

Beckett Sennecke smacked his own rebound behind Flames goalie Devin Cooley for the 23rd goal of his rookie season. But the good times and the Ducks’ lead lasted only so long. Despite a 16-6 advantage in shots on goal, the Ducks were tied with the Flames, 1-1, after one period.

Joel Farabee’s goal at 13:24 of the first tied the score for the Flames, and then ex-Duck Ryan Strome converted on a breakaway only 1:20 into the second period to give Calgary a 2-1 lead. Ducks goalie Ville Husso managed to get his glove on the puck, but it still fluttered past.

Seeking a fresh look on defense, the Ducks recalled Tyson Hinds from the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, and he made his NHL debut, paired with John Carlson, a veteran of 1,154 games. Hinds and Carlson were the least of the Ducks’ concerns as the Flames extended their lead.

Matvei Gridin’s goal made it 3-1 after the Flames pounced on a neutral zone turnover and went the other direction in a hurry. Gridin set up Farabee’s breakaway goal in the first period. Farabee then set up Gridin for an easy tap-in to cap a 2-on-1 rush at 7:49 of the second.

Husso appeared to have stopped Morgan Frost’s breakaway try in the closing moments of the second period, but ended up kicking the puck into his own net to give the Flames what sure looked like a commanding 4-1 lead. The Flames led despite being outshot by 27-15 through two periods.

Ducks’ rally falls short against Flames in 5th straight loss Orange County Register

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Ducks’ rally falls short against Flames in 5th straight loss

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