Vegas Golden Knights Defeat Anaheim Ducks, Advance to Western Conference Finals

The Vegas Golden Knights secured their place in the 2026 NHL Western Conference Finals with a decisive 5-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 of the second round. Playing at Honda Center in Anaheim, the Golden Knights dominated early, with Mitch Marner scoring and assisting in the first period. Pavel Dorofeyev contributed two goals, while Shea Theodore and Brett Howden also found the net. Goaltender Carter Hart made 31 saves to seal the win. This victory sets up a challenging matchup against the regular-season champion Colorado Avalanche, who swept the Los Angeles Kings and defeated the Minnesota Wild in previous rounds. Despite being underdogs due to Colorado's superior regular-season record, Vegas aims to replicate their 2021 playoff success against the Avalanche. The loss marks the end of a breakout postseason for the Ducks, who reached the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Players like Troy Terry expressed optimism for the team's future despite the disappointment. The series between Vegas and Colorado is scheduled to begin in Denver.