Ducks Drop Third Straight Game Against Rangers

The Anaheim Ducks fell to the New York Rangers 5-2 following an arduous 15-hour travel day.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Hockey

Ducks Drop Third Straight Game Against Rangers

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The Anaheim Ducks suffered their third consecutive loss in a 5-2 defeat against the New York Rangers on Monday. The team fell to a 4-4 record on the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters

The loss comes after a taxing 15-hour travel experience that saw the team arrive at their hotel at 2 a.m. Monday morning. It serves as the opening game of a four-game road trip across New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke, and Jackson LeCombe each finished the game with a -2 plus-minus rating. This loss marks the team's third consecutive defeat.

The players

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim that competes in the NHL.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are a professional NHL franchise based in Manhattan.

Cutter Gauthier

Cutter Gauthier is a professional hockey player currently rostered with the Anaheim Ducks.

Beckett Sennecke

Beckett Sennecke is a forward currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks.

Jackson LeCombe

Jackson LeCombe is a professional defenseman currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks.

The details

The Ducks struggled to overcome the logistical challenges of their cross-country travel after departing John Wayne Airport on Sunday. The team eventually reached New York via a rerouted flight arriving in the early hours of Monday.

October 18, 2026: The team traveled for 15 hours from the West Coast to New York.
October 19, 2026: The Anaheim Ducks played the New York Rangers.

Season Trajectory

This loss complicates the early season standing for the Ducks as they sit at a .500 winning percentage. The result puts added pressure on the remainder of their four-game road trip through the Eastern Conference.

The -2 plus-minus rating for Gauthier, Sennecke, and LeCombe indicates defensive struggles during this matchup. The team must now look to stabilize their performance in upcoming games against New Jersey and Philadelphia.

The takeaway

The team must quickly recover from a difficult travel schedule to find consistency on the ice. Improving defensive cohesion will be critical as they continue their multi-city road trip.