If you’ve spent any time at the Honda Center lately, you know the vibe is... different. There is this weird, twitchy energy in the air. People aren't just there for the expensive nachos anymore; they’re actually watching a rebuild that might—just might—be turning a corner. But if you look closely at the nhl anaheim ducks schedule, you’ll realize the league isn't doing this young roster any favors.
The Ducks are currently in the thick of a brutal January gauntlet. Honestly, it’s a miracle they’re still hovering around the .500 mark.
The January Gauntlet and Beyond
We just saw them survive a weirdly high-scoring home stand, but the road is calling. And it's a loud, angry road. Tonight, January 17, they’ve got a massive Freeway Faceoff against the Los Angeles Kings. If you haven't been following, these games have been chippy. Like, "I actually don't like your face" chippy. After that, they host the New York Rangers on January 19 before heading into a mountain-and-tundra road trip.
Look at these upcoming dates:
- Jan 21: At Colorado (Good luck with MacKinnon)
- Jan 23: At Seattle
- Jan 25: At Calgary
- Jan 26: At Edmonton (A back-to-back? Really, NHL?)
- Jan 29: At Vancouver
That Edmonton/Vancouver swing is basically a playoff audition. If the Ducks can squeeze four points out of those three Canadian games, they stay in the hunt. If they tank? Well, the "sell" talk starts earlier than GM Pat Verbeek would like.
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The Olympic Break is a Double-Edged Sword
Here is something kinda interesting: the nhl anaheim ducks schedule basically disappears for most of February. Why? The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The NHL is actually hitting the pause button.
For a veteran team, that's a godsend. For a team like the Ducks, who rely on guys like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier finding a rhythm, it’s a bit of a momentum killer. Carlsson is actually headed to the Olympics with Team Sweden, and Mikael Granlund is suiting up for Finland.
When they come back on February 25 against Edmonton, they start a massive nine-game homestand. That is the longest stretch of home games in the franchise's recent history. Basically, they live at the Honda Center for a month. If they’re going to make a move, that’s the window.
Injuries and the "Why" Behind the Record
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about who is actually on the ice. It’s been a rough week for the medical staff.
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Leo Carlsson is out for 3-5 weeks with a Morel-Lavallee lesion on his thigh. Basically, a massive internal bruise that needed a procedure. That is a huge blow for the top line. Troy Terry is also on IR with an upper-body injury, and Frank Vatrano isn't expected back until mid-February because of his shoulder.
Essentially, the Ducks are playing their hardest stretch of the schedule with a "next man up" roster. It's why we're seeing guys like Beckett Sennecke and Sam Colangelo getting way more minutes than anyone expected this early.
What to Watch For in the Final Push
Once we get past the Olympic break, the nhl anaheim ducks schedule turns into a sprint. March is heavy on Eastern Conference visitors. You’ve got Toronto coming to town on March 30, which is always a circus.
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Then, April hits. The season ends with a nasty little two-game road trip to Minnesota and Nashville.
Is this a playoff team? Probably not yet. They give up way too many high-danger chances. At 5v5, they’ve been ranking near the bottom of the league defensively, even if their power play—thanks to Jay Woodcroft’s influence—has actually been top-10.
Actionable Fan Strategy
- Watch the Edmonton Game (Jan 26): If the Ducks can hang with the Oilers on the second half of a back-to-back, this core is for real.
- Track the Return Dates: Mark February 25 on your calendar. That’s the "Reset" button for the season.
- Fantasy Alert: With Terry and Carlsson out, look at Cutter Gauthier. He’s been shooting the puck a ton and is basically the focal point of the offense right now.
The rest of the season is basically a test of depth. We're going to find out real fast if the kids are alright or if they're just talented skaters waiting for next year. Keep an eye on the goaltending split too; Lukas Dostal has been a workhorse, but with Petr Mrazek on IR, the load is getting heavy.