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Ducks ride three power-play goals to 3–2 OT win over Panthers
Granlund’s winner followed Marchand’s late equalizer, while Gauthier and Carlsson each finished with three points in Anaheim’s home opener.
Anaheim’s power play supplied all three goals in a 3–2 overtime win over the Florida Panthers at Honda Center on Sunday, October 4. Cutter Gauthier scored twice before Mikael Granlund delivered the winner at 4:14 of overtime, after Brad Marchand’s late equalizer had extended the Ducks’ home opener.
Gauthier builds the lead on the power play
Gauthier opened the scoring at 16:18 of the first period. Carter Verhaeghe answered at 17:09, so the teams reached the first intermission tied 1–1. Anaheim moved ahead again just 47 seconds into the second period when Gauthier finished another power-play opportunity.
The Ducks carried that 2–1 lead deep into the third. Their eventual three-goal total was spread across the first period, the second and overtime, with every goal coming on a power play. The scoring timeline shows how Anaheim repeatedly turned those opportunities into the next lead.
An extra attacker sends the game to overtime
Florida failed to score on a late power play, then pulled Markstrom for an extra skater. In his season debut, Marchand converted a rebound during that six-on-five attack at 18:10 of the third, leaving 1:50 in regulation.
A tripping penalty against Gustav Forsling gave Anaheim its overtime power play. Granlund redirected Carlsson’s pass for the winner at 4:14, which left 46 seconds in the extra period. Those last two scoring clocks describe separate intervals: Florida used its extra attacker to extend the game, and Anaheim settled it on the subsequent power play.
Two three-point games, with different contributions
Gauthier’s three points combined two goals with an assist on Granlund’s winner. Carlsson’s three points were all assists, one on each Anaheim goal. Their matching point totals reflect different contributions to the same three scoring plays.
Dostal finished with 29 saves, while Markstrom made 18. Marchand’s equalizer had erased Anaheim’s lead after its two earlier power-play goals, so the Ducks still needed a final conversion in overtime to complete the win.
Anaheim’s home-opening streak reaches 11
The Ducks have won 11 consecutive home openers and started this season 2–0–0. Florida is 1–0–2 after going to overtime in each of its first three games. The Panthers are scheduled to finish their opening road trip at Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 6.
Our Bruins report covers Boston’s own 11th straight home-opening win, secured by a late three-goal burst. For another Sunday NHL finish, our Golden Knights–Canucks recap explains how Vegas protected a 3–2 lead through a scoreless third period.
