NHL: Vegas One Win Away from Conference Final — Game vs. Anaheim Tonight
The series stands at 3-2 in favor of the Golden Knights. Tonight's game in Anaheim could send the winner to the Western Final, where Colorado awaits.
Main Event
Today, May 14, 2026, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Game 6 of the second-round playoff series between the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights will take place. Vegas leads the series 3-2 and is one win away from advancing to the Western Conference Final, where the Colorado Avalanche — who dispatched Minnesota in five games — are waiting. This is a classic elimination game: for the Ducks, a loss would end their most successful playoff run in eight years.
In Game 5 on May 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, the Golden Knights pulled out a 3-2 overtime victory. The hero of the night was Russian forward Pavel Dorofeyev, who scored two goals, including the game-winner at 4:00 of overtime.
Details and Statistics
Game 5 kept fans on edge for all 64 minutes of play. Anaheim opened the scoring in the first period — Beckett Sennecke converted on the power play, extending his point streak to four games. Pavel Dorofeyev tied it on the power play at 16:00, scoring his sixth goal of the playoffs.
The turning point came midway through the first period when Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb received a match penalty for a roughing hit on Ducks center Ryan Piling. The Golden Knights were without one of their key defensemen for most of the game but managed to adjust and hold on.
Tomas Hertl put Vegas ahead in the second period — the Czech forward scored his second straight goal after ending a 29-game goal drought. But Anaheim fought back: defenseman Olen Zellweger scored his first career playoff goal at 17:00 of the third period, tying the game and forcing overtime.
In overtime, the Jack Eichel-Pavel Dorofeyev connection decided the game. Eichel, who recorded two assists, set up the winning play, and Dorofeyev finished with a precise shot. Vegas goaltender Carter Hart made 34 saves, while Anaheim's Lukas Dostal stopped 29.
Series statistics show a tight battle: Vegas has won three games, Anaheim two, with three of the five games decided by one goal.
Context and Significance
For the Vegas Golden Knights, a potential trip to the Western Conference Final would be their first chance to compete for the Stanley Cup Final since 2023 — when the club won its first and only championship. John Tortorella's team has faced serious challenges in this series, including an injury to captain Mark Stone, who was sidelined in Game 3.
Pavel Dorofeyev is emerging as the star of this playoff run for Vegas. He has 8 points (6 goals, 2 assists) in 11 games this postseason. The Russian is on a three-game point streak and has scored in two straight games.
The Anaheim Ducks, back in the playoffs for the first time in eight years, have already exceeded expectations. The team, which finished the regular season at 43-33-6, upset a higher-seeded opponent in the first round and is now giving the Golden Knights a battle. For the young Ducks roster led by Beckett Sennecke, Cutter Gauthier, and Olen Zellweger, this playoff run is invaluable experience.
Colorado is already waiting for the winner of this series. The Avalanche closed out Minnesota 4-1, rallying from a 3-0 deficit in Game 5 and winning in overtime.
What's Next / Game Preview
Game 6 will start at 9:30 PM local time in Anaheim (7:30 AM Moscow time on May 15). If the Ducks win, the series will return to Paradise for Game 7 on May 16 at T-Mobile Arena. If Vegas wins, the Western Conference Final between Colorado and Vegas will begin around May 17-18 in Denver, where the Avalanche will have home-ice advantage as Central Division champions.
A key for Anaheim is the power play. In the first three games, the Ducks went 0-for-11 on the man advantage, but in Games 4 and 5, they finally found success. Vegas needs to maintain discipline and avoid penalties, especially with McNabb's potential suspension for his hit.
The winner of this series will not only earn a spot in the conference final but also a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup. For Colorado, it's a chance to win a second title in four years; for Vegas, to repeat their 2023 success; for Anaheim, to pull off the biggest playoff upset.
— Editorial Team
