This Anaheim Ducks season recap breaks down the team’s progress, pitfalls, and what must change heading into 2025–26.
Anaheim Ducks Season Recap
The Anaheim Ducks concluded their 2024–2025 NHL season with a 2-1 OT loss against the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets. Still, the Ducks experienced something they haven’t in a while—progress. After a dismal 59-point campaign a year ago, this year’s squad ended with 80 points. That’s a 21-point jump, and in the tough Western Conference, that’s nothing to scoff at. But while there were signs of what could be, this season was also a stark reminder that there’s still plenty of work to be done before this team is back in the playoff picture. This Anaheim Ducks season recap dives into the good, bad, and downright ugly stories that defined the campaign.
The Good
Standings Improvement
The Ducks’ 21-point improvement from 59 to 80 points marked one of the biggest year-over-year jumps in the league. They finished with a 35–37–10 record, a significant improvement over the 27-50-5 record last season. In fact, they were 17-14-4 in their final 35 games, showing signs of cohesion and fight that were missing earlier in the season and all last season. For a franchise that has been stuck in the league’s basement, this was a meaningful step.
Emergence of a Promising Young Core
Few teams leaned into youth as heavily as Anaheim. Lukas Dostal was putting up Vezina-level numbers at the beginning of the season and was the clear MVP for the Ducks this season. Leo Carlsson tallied 45 points in 76 games and showed flashes of his deceptive speed and offensive creativity. Cutter Gauthier, began to emerge in the second half of the season—registering 7 goals and 10 points in the final 12 games. There is a dynamic duo forming between Carlsson and Gauthier. Ducks fans are hoping they will be the next version of the Ryan Getzlaf/Corey Perry duo that starred for years in Anaheim. Mason McTavish posted 52 points and continued to be a bulldog on both ends of the ice. On the blueline, Jackson LaCombe quietly finished sixth on the team in points and scored 14 goals. The future is bright with this young core continuing to develop and take on more meaningful minutes.
Strong Finish to the Season
Anaheim played some of their best hockey late into the season. From the Four Nations break onwards, the Ducks had the 11th most goals in the league, and the team looked faster and more connected. They pulled off impressive wins against playoff-bound teams, heart-racing comebacks, and kept games tight, even when outmatched on paper. This was the stretch where fans could finally squint and see what the rebuild could become.
The Bad
No Playoff Appearance, Again
Now for the negative part of our Anaheim Ducks season recap. For the seventh straight season, the Ducks failed to qualify for the playoffs and ended 16 points behind the final Western Conference wild card spot. It’s not just that they missed—they were never truly in the hunt. Their inconsistency throughout the season ultimately sank any postseason hopes. Even though they claimed to be playing meanigful games in March, their results did not follow, and those meaningful games lasted about a week.
Offensive Shortcomings
The Ducks were near the bottom of the league in scoring. Troy Terry led the team with 55 points, a number that would’ve placed him outside the top 100 in the NHL. No player reached the 30-goal mark. There were flashes of hope—Carlsson and Gauthier had multi-point games, and McTavish scored some clutch goals—but the lack of elite production remains a concern. A concern that must be addressed this offseason, whether through the trade or free agent market.
Overreliance on Goaltending
Lukas Dostal, and John Gibson when he was healthy, carried far too much of the burden. They faced over 33 shots per game on average and posted a combined Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) of +29.6. For reference, the only goalie with more GSAx than that was workhorse Connor Hellebuyck (and his team could actually score). With that, a goalie can’t be the solution every night. The Ducks also finished dead last in shots against per game, a glaring indicator that their defensive structure broke down regularly. If Anaheim wants to protect their investment in Dostal, and win hockey games, they must ease the pressure on him.
The Ugly Ducklings
Now, let’s talk about the issues that require immediate attention. If you’re wondering why the Ducks didn’t take a bigger leap, look no further than their special teams. The power play? Worst in the league. The penalty kill? Fifth-worst. These are numbers that scream for change, whether it’s strategy, coaching, or personnel.
Special Teams Disaster
Anaheim’s power play operated at a league-worst 11.8%, while their penalty kill hovered at a dismal 74.2%. The man-advantage looked static and predictable all year long. Greg Cronin and Rich Clune rotated personnel, but no setup clicked. It wasn’t for lack of attempts; the Ducks had the 5th highest powerplay time in the league. Why Cutter Gauthier only saw 30% of that time is baffling. On the penalty kill, Anaheim struggled with puck clears and allowed dangerous seam passes far too often. The Ducks have always been a passive penalty-killing team, while other teams successfully apply pressure against them. This will be a key area for improvement this offseason.
Scoring Struggles
Anaheim finished with the third-worst goals-per-game rate in the NHL at 2.64. They were shut out three times. Even during stronger performances, the team lacked a finishing touch. That speaks to both roster construction and player development. The Ducks lack an elite goal scorer. Maybe one of their rising stars will emerge as a go-to, Corey Perry Hart Trophy-like 50-goal scorer. It is more likely that Pat Verbeek will need to address this concern externally. (Hey Pat, a player like Brock Boeser could be a great fit for this role. Just saying.)
A Massive Coaching Problem
Head coach Greg Cronin deservedly faced scrutiny all season. It started with his shocking answers to the media early in the season. It’s never good when an NHL coach is saying “I don’t know” or “just shoot more”. It’s, in fact, his job to know what to do. His in-game adjustments, constant line shuffling, roster management, and special teams “strategy” raised numerous questions. If Anaheim is serious about contending soon, they need a more tactically advanced coaching staff and one that fits with this young core of players. Perhaps, a coach who plays the right players in the right situations (see Gauthier power play usage above). Perhaps a coach who lets the young players have the freedom to figure out what they can and cannot do at the NHL level. The Ducks also finished last in faceoff win percentage, a critical area often tied directly to coaching and player deployment. Why was faceoff specialist Tim Washe signed in April and then only get a handful of minutes in the final two, meaningless games of the season? That kind of coaching should have you looking for a new job.
Flying into a Promising Future
That concludes our Anaheim Ducks season recap. So, where does this team go from here? The good news is that the foundation is there. The Ducks have promising young talent, cap space, and a fan base desperate for meaningful hockey again. However, they need to take a hard look at their special teams, bolster their scoring depth, and overhaul the coaching staff.
The Ducks should give themselves both a pat on the back and a wake-up call. There’s reason for optimism—but it’s time to turn potential into performance. With the right adjustments, the Ducks might just be ready to fly in 2025–26.
Stay tuned for more Ducks content, including an offseason to-do list coming soon.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee- Imagn Images
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