In a thrilling showdown at Madison Square Garden, the Anaheim Ducks clawed their way back from a skid with a hard-fought 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers, proving that even in the high-stakes world of hockey, redemption can strike like lightning. But here's where it gets controversial—could this be the turning point for Anaheim, or is the Rangers' slide just beginning? Stay tuned as we dive into the details of a game filled with emotional reunions and pivotal plays.
Ducks at Rangers | Recap
By Dan Rosen
@drosennhl (https://www.x.com/drosennhl) NHL.com Senior Writer
December 16, 2025
NEW YORK -- Young star Cutter Gauthier netted two crucial goals in the final period, goalie Lukas Dostal turned away 26 shots with solid saves, and the Anaheim Ducks snapped a two-game losing run by defeating the New York Rangers 4-1 at Madison Square Garden on Monday. For those new to hockey, imagine a power play as a golden opportunity where one team has a player advantage due to a penalty—it's like having an extra teammate to create scoring chances, and Anaheim made the most of it here.
Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville reflected on the team's approach, saying, "I felt we brought a much more straightforward style tonight. We simplified our game. We discussed how, after dropping two matches, we're essentially throwing away wins. Every contest matters because everyone's facing the same challenges, but this was a strong comeback from the squad, and I'm thrilled for them returning to this venue."
Defenseman Jackson LaCombe notched a short-handed goal— that's when a team scores while down a player, often seen as a heroic play—and it was set up by Jacob Trouba, the ex-Rangers captain suiting up for his inaugural game at The Garden since being dealt to Anaheim on December 6, 2024. For beginners, short-handed goals are rare gems because the penalized team is at a disadvantage, making them even more impressive.
Meanwhile, forward Chris Kreider faced his old Rangers teammates for the first time since his trade to Anaheim on June 12. He had spent his first 13 NHL seasons with New York. The Rangers honored both players with video montages during the opening frame.
"It felt a bit strange," Kreider admitted. "It took a few shifts to realize the guys in blue weren't my linemates anymore. Honestly, the whole game had an odd vibe. Maybe next time it'll feel less bizarre. I had this rush of adrenaline in the first period, like tunnel vision and nerves from my debut here in New York."
ANA@NYR: Sennecke, Gauthier team up for PPG
Anaheim, now at 20-12-1, moved to 2-2-0 in the initial four games of a five-game away trip that wraps up against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. The Rangers, sitting at 16-14-4, have now lost four of their last five outings (record of 1-2-2).
Rangers captain J.T. Miller analyzed the loss: "We had a solid performance at even strength, but special teams decided it. Our penalty kill was effective, conceding just one late, but the power play lacked sharpness, and we allowed a goal there—that was the difference."
Forward Matthew Robertson tallied for New York, while goalie Igor Shesterkin stopped 22 shots. The Rangers' four-game home point streak (2-0-2) came to an end, dropping them to 4-9-3 at home and marking their ninth game with one goal or less in 16 home contests.
The Rangers also played without center Mika Zibanejad, who was benched as a healthy scratch after skipping a team meeting that morning, per coach Mike Sullivan.
"I won't delve into the reasons behind our choices," Sullivan stated. "We firmly believe in the system we've established for the team, plain and simple. We hold everyone to high standards. Ultimately, that's the focus, and we all accept responsibility. Mika and I talked it over, decided, and we're moving forward. He's a key player—a fantastic athlete and person."
And this is the part most people miss—disciplining a star like Zibanejad for missing a meeting might seem harsh to some fans, but it underscores team accountability. What do you think: is this a fair approach to maintaining discipline, or does it risk alienating a top performer? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
Gauthier put Anaheim ahead 2-1 at 5:51 of the third, capping off a power play. Beckett Sennecke slipped past Miller, carrying the puck into the offensive zone on the right flank. He threaded a pass to Gauthier, who fired from above the left hash marks, beating Shesterkin through his glove.
To help beginners visualize, the hash marks are reference points on the ice near the goal, like guidelines for shooters—think of them as aiming spots in a high-speed game.
"The pass was a tad ahead, so I nudged it forward," Sennecke explained. "I glanced up, spotted Cutter, fed it onto his blade, and he took care of the rest. I told him, but honestly, few can launch the puck like he does. It's mesmerizing—off his stick like a rocket in an instant."
Gauthier noted practicing his shot earlier with Ducks NHL player development coach Julien Tremblay.
"I aimed to refine getting shots past defenders," he shared. "This season, on rushes, I've either missed or hit legs. The key is quick release and precision. Beckett delivered a great pass, and I just let it fly."
Gauthier added an empty-netter at 19:38 to extend it to 3-1, before Pavel Mintyukov scored with Shesterkin pulled for an extra attacker at 19:57, sealing the 4-1 score.
"We were pleased with our play for two periods," Sullivan remarked. "But in the third, after they scored off their power play's end, we lacked the momentum to push back and tie it."
LaCombe's short-handed marker came at 7:18 of the second, giving the Ducks a 1-0 edge. It arrived just six seconds after the Rangers enjoyed a 5-on-3 power play (a rare two-man advantage, like having overwhelming odds), and 17 seconds after Dostal scrambled to deny Vincent Trocheck's attempt from the left that seemed destined for an empty side.
ANA@NYR: LaCombe tucks in SHG to open scoring
Trouba cleared the puck from defense while still shorthanded. Ryan Poehling grabbed it in the neutral zone and charged the net, angling for a shot. The rebound bounced to LaCombe, who buried it on his second try.
"'Poehls' drove to the net, and I was like, 'Alright, here's our chance,'" Quenneville said. "We battled for the rebound, and I wondered what if it went wrong? But we lucked out—a play like that is a keeper, though it doesn't happen often."
New York equalized at 16:18 via Robertson's tally. Officials confirmed it after video review, ruling out whether the puck entered via Vincent Trocheck's high stick or Dostal deflecting it in. The footage revealed Dostal inadvertently knocking it into his own net.
NOTES: Rangers forward Matt Rempe returned to action, logging 9:01 with five hits after missing 24 games due to a broken thumb.
So, what stands out to you in this matchup? Was the Rangers' benching of Zibanejad a bold move for team unity, or could it backfire by sidelining a key talent? And how do you see the Ducks' comeback shaping their season? Share your opinions below—let's discuss!
