The Anaheim Ducks returned to Honda Center on October 14, 2026, for a quick rematch with the Calgary Flames, and the headline was Roger McQueen’s expected NHL debut. Anaheim had already beaten Calgary 4-2 on Saturday, and this meeting came just four days later after the Ducks swept their two-game Canadian road trip.
The game also carried some roster movement for Anaheim. On the morning of the matchup, Ryan Poehling was placed on Injured Reserve, while McQueen was recalled from San Diego. Cutter Gauthier was day-to-day, and Drew Helleson was returning for his season debut after dealing with a lower-body injury before the season.
McQueen gets his chance
McQueen, a 2025 first-round pick, was expected to make his NHL debut after getting called up. Joel Quenneville said he believed McQueen improved during camp and liked the way he started in San Diego. He also pointed to the rookie’s size and right-handed center profile as reasons Anaheim wanted to see what he could do at this level.
“It’s a big day, so very excited,” McQueen said. He added that he had waited for the moment for a while and planned to enjoy it without letting the nerves take over, while still trying to play his game and help the team. Quenneville said the Ducks hoped to use him in different ways and that he had upside for what could become a strong career.
Why the rematch matters
Saturday’s win was important for more than the standings. It gave Anaheim its third consecutive road victory to open the season, which the article noted was the first time that had happened in franchise history. The Ducks entered this game at 4-1-0, while Calgary was still searching for its first win and first point of the season at 0-5-0.
Quenneville said the first meeting was not pretty, but his team took the two points because it worked hard. He described the puck as bouncing all over the place and said both teams were fighting for space. That same type of game is part of why this rematch had value: it gave Anaheim a chance to show the opening stretch was not a one-off result.
What Calgary wanted to build on
Calgary coach Ryan Huska said his group had taken steps in the right direction since then. He pointed to areas the team had focused on in the first game against Anaheim and said the Flames wanted another good effort in Orange County. Huska emphasized that every shift matters and that the team needed to keep building in the direction it wants to play.
For Anaheim, the matchup was part of a quick two-game home stint, but the bigger story was the combination of a strong start, a debut opportunity for McQueen, and the challenge of staying sharp after a successful road trip. Lukas Dostal was expected to start in net, giving the Ducks a chance to extend an early-season run that has already given them a notable place in franchise history.
