Leo Carlsson’s Rise Tests Ducks’ Playoff Push

Leo Carlsson, the Anaheim Ducks' young center, carries the team's faint playoff hopes in the 2025-26 NHL season. The 21-year-old Swede, drafted second overall in 2023, has put up solid numbers while the Ducks sit outside the postseason picture after a promising early run.

Background

The Ducks started the season with wins that turned heads. They beat teams like Florida, Boston, and Nashville in October, showing speed and grit. Carlsson played a big part, scoring in key games and setting up plays. His line clicked, and the team looked ready to surprise in the Pacific Division.

But things shifted after November. Losses piled up against strong opponents. By January 2026, Anaheim had dropped games to Minnesota, Washington, and others at home. The standings tell the story: Vegas leads with 48 points, Edmonton close behind, while the Ducks hold 45 points from 43 games. They sit sixth in the division, one spot out of a wild card.

Carlsson joined the NHL as a rookie in 2023-24. He played 55 games, scored 12 goals, and added 17 assists for 29 points. That was a solid start for a teenager. Last season built on it, and now in year three, he has grown into a top player. At 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds, he brings size, skill, and vision to the ice.

The team around him mixes veterans and prospects. Players like Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier share shifts, but injuries and slumps have hurt. Carlsson missed time this year with upper-body and lower-body issues, yet he always returns stronger.

Key Details

Carlsson's stats stand out in a tough season. Through 44 games, he has 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points. That puts him on a one-point-per-game pace, rare for someone his age. He logs nearly 20 minutes per game, including power play time.

Recent Performance

His game log shows flashes of brilliance. On October 28 against Florida, he scored once and assisted once in a 3-2 win. Days later at Tampa Bay, he added a goal and assist despite a loss. He hit a career high with a six-game point streak earlier this year. Even in losses, like the 5-2 defeat to Minnesota on January 2, he stayed active.

Injuries tested him. He sat out stretches, including six games with an upper-body problem. But he came back firing, netting two goals in a blowout win and a hat trick in another game. Last 10 outings show three points and steady shots on goal.

The Ducks' record reflects the grind: 21 wins, 19 losses, and 3 overtime losses. They score 3.24 goals per game but allow 3.73, ranking low in the league. Carlsson's 17% shooting rate helps, with three game-winners and power-play goals.

"Leo brings energy every shift. His passes set us up, and he finishes chances. We need more nights like his to turn this around." – Ducks coach Greg Cronin

Team lines put Carlsson on the second power-play unit with McTavish and others. He faces top defenses but holds his own, with a plus-4 rating overall.

What This Means

Carlsson's play keeps the Ducks in the hunt. With 39 games left, every point counts. A wild-card spot means catching Seattle or San Jose, both at 47 points. Vegas and Edmonton pull away, but Anaheim can climb with wins.

His growth signals a bright future. At 21, he already has 50 goals and 68 assists over 175 career games. If he stays healthy, he could hit 70 points this year. That draws attention from scouts and fans.

The team needs balance. Defense leaks goals, and goaltending falters in tight games. Recent home losses to San Jose and Tampa Bay hurt momentum. Road trips, like the one to Washington where they lost 7-4, expose weaknesses.

Fans pack Honda Center hoping for a spark. Carlsson delivers in bursts—a two-goal night here, multi-point games there. Veterans like Ryan Strome and Pavel Mintyukov support him, but the kids must lead.

Playoff odds sit low, around the bottom of the Pacific. Yet a hot streak changes everything. Carlsson's hot start proved they can win. Now, with him driving the offense, the Ducks chase that again.

Trades loom before the deadline. General manager Pat Verbeek eyes help on defense or in net. Carlsson stays put—he's the core. His line with Terry and Gauthier shows promise on even strength.

Every game tests the rebuild. Wins over Pittsburgh and Carolina at home built hope. Losses to Chicago and Florida reminded them of gaps. Carlsson bridges those, scoring shorthanded and on the power play.

The Pacific stays tight. Los Angeles at 46 points nips close. Calgary lags at 40. Anaheim's fate hinges on consistency. Carlsson provides it, game after game.