The Ducks put out the Stars

Last year's champions go dark in Dallas

The holders stumble

The Dallas Stars came into the round of 16 carrying the Gauntlet's own fire. They shared the cuff in 2024-25, and they had already snuffed the Colorado Avalanche on qualification night. The Anaheim Ducks finished 25th of 32 last season and went out in the round of 16 a year ago. Sixteen flames were still lit. Only eight would burn on.

For one period Dallas looked untouchable. Wyatt Johnston snapped home a power-play goal at 5:49 of the 1st, then tipped in another on the power play at 16:18. Miro Heiskanen assisted on both.

Anaheim catches fire

Chris Kreider answered on the power play 1:16 into the 2nd. Just 1:32 later Ian Moore, a defenseman, snapped in the equalizer. Tyler Seguin put the Stars back in front at 8:19, but the Ducks kept coming. Cutter Gauthier tied it at 14:07. Then defenseman Olen Zellweger cashed in a power play at 17:05 to give Anaheim its first lead, and Kreider tipped in his second only 16 seconds into the 3rd.

Carlsson seals it

Mikko Rantanen cut the gap to one on the power play at 1:50. Then, with Moore off for high sticking, Leo Carlsson ripped a short-handed slap shot at 9:22 for the winner. Roope Hintz deflected one in at 16:39 with the Stars' goalie pulled for an extra attacker. Mason McTavish answered into the empty net at 18:07. Lukas Dostal made 21 saves, and the champions' flame went cold.