The Anaheim Ducks opened the 2026-27 NHL season with a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, October 2, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Anaheim built a four-goal lead before Vegas rallied in the third period, turning a one-sided opening into a tense finish in the rematch of the teams’ second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
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How the Anaheim Ducks built their lead
The Anaheim Ducks struck first when Beckett Sennecke scored against Carter Hart, giving the visitors an early lead in the regular-season opener.
Alex Killorn then added a tip-in on a shot from rookie defenceman Noah Warren.
The goal gave Warren his first NHL point and pushed Anaheim further ahead.
Jeff Malott made it 3-0 with his first goal as a Duck, redirecting the puck past Hart.
Leo Carlsson later finished a rebound during an odd-man rush to give Anaheim a four-goal cushion.
The four-goal burst gave Anaheim a strong start under head coach Joel Quenneville, who began his first season behind the Ducks’ bench with a win.
Golden Knights rally in the third period
Vegas finally solved Anaheim goaltender Lukas Dostal in the third period.
Shea Theodore scored to cut the deficit to three before Tomas Hertl converted on the power play to make it 4-2.
The Golden Knights continued pressing after Hertl’s goal, but Anaheim protected the narrow lead through the closing minutes.
The official Vegas video confirmed Hertl’s power-play goal made the score 4-2, while Theodore’s marker had reduced the Ducks’ advantage to 4-1.
Vegas entered the game with a 1-0 record after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 in its opening game.
The loss left the Golden Knights 1-1 to begin the season.
Dostal helps Anaheim withstand late pressure
Dostal started in goal for Anaheim, as expected, and made several important stops during the Golden Knights’ third-period push.
His performance was especially important after Vegas generated repeated offensive-zone pressure while trying to complete the comeback.
For Anaheim, the victory provided an immediate response to last season’s playoff defeat against Vegas.
The Golden Knights eliminated the Ducks in six games during the Western Conference second round, but Anaheim now has an early regular-season win against the same opponent.
Vegas will have to regroup after allowing Anaheim to establish a four-goal lead.
The Golden Knights showed they could create pressure late, but the slow start proved too costly against a Ducks team that capitalized on its early opportunities.
A promising start for a reworked Ducks team
The Ducks entered the opener after making the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons in 2025-26.
Anaheim finished that campaign with a 43-33-6 record, 92 points and 265 goals.
The club also made several off-season changes, including additions such as A.J.
Greer, Jeff Malott and Nick Jensen, while extending key young players and matching an offer sheet for Leo Carlsson.
That mix of established players and young talent was evident in Las Vegas.
Sennecke, Carlsson, Warren and Malott all played important roles in the opening-night win, while Killorn provided veteran scoring.
The Ducks will now return to California for their home opener on Sunday, October 4, against the Florida Panthers at Honda Center.
The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Pacific time.
What comes next for the Golden Knights
Vegas will have to regroup after allowing Anaheim to establish a four-goal lead.
The Golden Knights showed they could create pressure late, but the slow start proved too costly against a Ducks team that capitalized on its early opportunities.
The matchup also offered an early look at the Pacific Division, where both clubs are expected to compete for playoff positions after meeting in the postseason last spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Ducks vs Golden Knights game?
The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
When was the game played?
The game was played on Friday, October 2, 2026, as both teams began the 2026-27 NHL regular season.
Who scored for the Anaheim Ducks?
Beckett Sennecke, Alex Killorn, Jeff Malott and Leo Carlsson scored for Anaheim.
Who scored for the Golden Knights?
Shea Theodore and Tomas Hertl scored for Vegas in the third-period comeback attempt.
What is next for the Anaheim Ducks?
The Ducks host the Florida Panthers in their home opener on Sunday, October 4, at Honda Center.
Fact-Checked: Key game details, scoring information and the upcoming schedule were checked against NHL and team-published information.
Disclaimer: Game details and statistics may be updated by the NHL after the initial final result.