In a night filled with high emotions and thrilling hockey, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 at the Honda Center on Friday, October 31, 2025. The game marked the much-anticipated return of former Ducks goaltender John Gibson, who was honored with a heartfelt video tribute before the opening faceoff. However, it was the Ducks’ young stars who stole the show, with Leo Carlsson recording a career-high four points and Troy Terry extending his point streak to six games in a crucial victory that solidified the team’s position as one of the hottest teams in the NHL.
Game Summary
The Ducks came into the game looking to build on their recent success, having won three of their last four games and sitting at a respectable 5-3-1 record. The Red Wings, on the other hand, were playing the second half of a back-to-back set after a shootout win against the Los Angeles Kings the previous night. Detroit entered the contest with an impressive 8-3-0 record and had won three straight games before facing the Ducks. The fatigue factor would prove to be a significant challenge for the Red Wings, as Detroit coach Todd McLellan noted after the game: “I thought our bodies wanted to go, but our brains didn’t. At the end of the night, that probably cost us.”
The game started with a bang, as Troy Terry scored a short-handed goal just 4:53 into the first period to give the Ducks an early lead. Terry broke free on a breakaway and beat Gibson cleanly, marking the second consecutive game in which the Ducks had scored a short-handed goal. Ducks coach Joel Quenneville praised Terry’s early strike, saying, “Scored a big goal right off the bat to get us started. We’re very happy with his contributions.”
The Red Wings answered back quickly, killing off the Ducks’ first power play and then scoring just 48 seconds later when Dylan Larkin passed the puck ahead to Lucas Raymond, who went through the five-hole to tie it 1-1 at 8:19. However, the Ducks regained the lead when Terry led a 3-on-2 rush before making a cross-ice pass to Leo Carlsson, who scored with a wrist shot from the left circle for a 2-1 lead at 12:24. It was Carlsson’s fifth goal of the season and the first of what would be a memorable four-point night.
The second period saw the Ducks extend their lead to 3-1 with a goal from Mason McTavish at 6:35. McTavish received a pass along the wall, skated the puck to the opposite side, and scored with a wrist shot from the right circle through traffic. The goal showcased the young forward’s growing confidence and ability to create scoring chances.
The Red Wings’ Moritz Seider appeared to have scored at 4:57 of the second period, which would have tied the game at 2-2. However, the Ducks challenged that Seider used a kicking motion to score the goal, and it was disallowed after a video review. The call was controversial, and Red Wings defenseman Seider expressed his frustration after the game, saying, “We’ve got to come up with a better game plan, especially for such a meaningful game for ‘Gibby.’ Unacceptable to let him hang in there.”
The Red Wings did manage to cut the lead to 3-2 with a power-play goal from Alex DeBrincat at 15:25 of the second period. DeBrincat received a pass to the side of the net, turned, and scored from in close, extending his goal-scoring streak to four consecutive games. The goal gave the Red Wings hope heading into the third period, but the Ducks would respond emphatically.
The Ducks were on a power play in the opening minute of the third period when Chris Kreider scored with a backhand just after Gibson had knocked the net off its moorings. The goal was awarded and then confirmed after a brief review, giving the Ducks a 4-2 lead just 55 seconds into the period. The controversial call effectively put the game out of reach for the Red Wings, who had battled hard despite playing their second game in as many nights.
Terry sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 2:32 left for the 5-2 final. The goal was Terry’s second of the night and capped off a dominant performance by the Ducks’ top line.
Key Moments
The game was filled with several key moments and turning points that ultimately decided the outcome. Terry’s short-handed goal in the first period set the tone for the Ducks, giving them an early lead and momentum. The goal was particularly impressive given that it came against Gibson, who had been one of the best goaltenders in franchise history during his 12 seasons with the team.
The disallowed goal by Seider in the second period was another crucial moment, as it prevented the Red Wings from tying the game and shifted the momentum back in the Ducks’ favor. The video review took several minutes, and when the call was finally made, the Honda Center erupted in cheers. It was a turning point that allowed the Ducks to maintain their lead and build on it.
Kreider’s controversial power-play goal in the third period was the final nail in the coffin for the Red Wings, extending the Ducks’ lead to two goals and putting the game out of reach. The goal came at a crucial time, as the Red Wings had been pressing for the tying goal and had several good scoring chances in the opening minutes of the third period.
Another key moment was the emotional return of John Gibson to Anaheim. The Ducks organization honored their former goaltender with a video tribute that highlighted his many accomplishments during his time with the team. The fans gave him a standing ovation, and Gibson could be seen wiping away tears as he stood in the crease. While Gibson and the Red Wings didn’t get the result they wanted, it was a special night for a player who meant so much to the Ducks organization for over a decade. Gibson was traded to Detroit on June 28, 2025, after spending his entire 12-year career with Anaheim.
Player Spotlight
Several players had outstanding performances in this game, but none more so than Leo Carlsson. The young forward had a career-high four points, with a goal and three assists. He now has a five-game point streak with three goals and six assists during that span, and is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young players in the league. His speed, vision, and playmaking ability were on full display against the Red Wings, and he was a constant threat every time he touched the puck.
His coach, Joel Quenneville, praised him after the game, saying, “He’s been a ‘wow’ factor. He brings speed through the middle of the ice, and a lot of times he has possession of the puck, and he can back (the defense) off and loosen up coverage and open things up for his wingers.” Carlsson’s performance was a reminder of why the Ducks selected him with a high draft pick and why he is considered one of the cornerstones of the franchise’s future.
Troy Terry also had a fantastic game, with two goals and an assist. He now has a six-game point streak with 10 points (five goals and five assists) during that span, and has been a consistent offensive threat for the Ducks all season. His short-handed goal in the first period was a thing of beauty, showcasing his speed and finishing ability. His empty-net goal sealed the victory for the Ducks and capped off one of his best performances of the season. After the game, Terry spoke about the team’s growing confidence: “We’ve got a lot of smart hockey players. We’re just learning when to be aggressive, when teams are maybe in tough spots, and when to push.”
Cutter Gauthier also had a strong game, with two assists, extending his own point streak to five games with three goals and four assists during that span. The rookie has been a pleasant surprise for the Ducks and has quickly become a key contributor on the team’s top line. His chemistry with Terry and Carlsson has been evident, and the trio has been one of the most productive lines in the NHL over the past few weeks.
Chris Kreider, who returned after missing four games with an illness, scored the crucial power-play goal in the third period. He now has five goals in his first six games with Anaheim, with four of those goals coming on the power play. His presence has been a huge boost to the Ducks’ special teams, which have struggled at times this season.
Goaltender Lukas Dostal made 28 saves in the victory, including several key stops in the second period when the Red Wings were pressing for the tying goal. Dostal has been solid for the Ducks this season and continues to prove that he can be a reliable starting goaltender in the NHL.
For the Red Wings, Alex DeBrincat continued his hot streak, scoring a goal for the fourth straight game. He now has points in five consecutive games and has been one of the most consistent offensive players for Detroit this season. Lucas Raymond also had a goal and an assist, and Dylan Larkin chipped in with an assist. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Ducks’ offensive firepower and the fatigue from playing back-to-back games.
John Gibson made 27 saves in the loss, and while he would have preferred a different result in his return to Anaheim, he handled the emotional night with class and professionalism. The veteran goaltender received a warm welcome from the fans and his former teammates, and it was clear that he still holds a special place in the hearts of Ducks fans.
What’s Next
The Ducks will look to continue their winning ways when they host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, November 2, at 5:00 PM PST at the Honda Center. The Devils are one of the top teams in the league, with a record of 8-3-0 and 16 points, sitting atop the league standings as they enter November. The Devils have been particularly strong at home with a perfect 5-0-0 record, but they are coming off a 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on October 30, which was their first home loss of the season.
The matchup will be a significant test for the Ducks, as the Devils boast one of the best power plays in the NHL and feature star players like Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Dougie Hamilton. However, with the way the Ducks are playing right now, they have to feel confident they can compete with anyone. The team has won four of their last five games and is building momentum at the right time.
The Red Wings will look to bounce back from this loss when they return home to face the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, November 4. It was a tough loss for the Red Wings, especially with the emotional return of John Gibson, but they are still a very good team with an 8-4-0 record and will be looking to get back on track. The back-to-back schedule certainly didn’t help their cause, and they will benefit from having a few days of rest before their next game.
This was a huge win for the Anaheim Ducks, not only because it was against a good team, but also because of the circumstances surrounding the game. The emotional return of John Gibson could have been a distraction, but the Ducks stayed focused and played one of their best games of the season. With their young players leading the way, the future is bright for the Anaheim Ducks.
The victory also extended an impressive offensive streak for the Ducks. Through their first 10 games of the season, the team has scored 36 goals, which is the most in franchise history. The offensive explosion has been led by the young core of Carlsson, Terry, Gauthier, and McTavish, and it’s a promising sign for a team that has struggled to score goals in recent seasons.
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