Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Ducks’ Ryan Poehling timeline with injury unknown

Scott Maxwell
Scott Maxwell(scotmaxw)
May 13, 2026, 16:37 EDTUpdated: May 13, 2026, 16:38 EDT
yan Poehling (25) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Credit: Jan 25, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (25) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Anaheim Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville announced that center Ryan Poehling will be out with an injury, and the timeline for his return is unknown.

Poehling sustained the injury midway through the first period of Tuesday’s Game 5 of the Ducks’ second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As the Ducks were leaving their own zone, Poehling attempted to make a play on the puck in a battle with Tomas Hertl, but the puck actually ended up on Jackson Lacombe’s stick. However, Brayden McNabb had pivoted across the ice and made a play on the body of Poehling under the assumption he won the puck battle, and McNabb slammed the unsuspecting Poehling into the boards.

Poehling fell hard to the ice in the hit, and was slow to get up. He even attempted to get up shortly after, but fell back down in a dizzying state. He required assistance from teammates and trainers to get off the ice, immediately going to the dressing room, and he did not return to the game.

McNabb received a five-minute major for interference in the game, and is also set to receive a hearing for the hit. The Ducks scored the opening goal on the ensuing power play, but went on to lose the game 3-2 in overtime, and fall down 3-2 in the series.

Poehling is coming off a career year with the Ducks, where he had 11 goals and a career-high 25 assists and 36 points in 75 games. He’s been similarly productive in the playoffs with four goals and one assist for five points in 11 games.

At this point in time, it’s unclear how the Ducks lineup will be altered for Game 6 on Thursday to replace Poehling at the third-line center position. Jansen Harkins is the most likely candidate to draw into the lineup, as he was the lone forward healthy scratch for Anaheim in Game 5 who has played in the playoffs. Harkins has one goal in two playoff games this season.

The Ducks will look to keep their season alive and tie the series when they host the Golden Knights for Game 6 on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. PT.

MORE FACEOFF.IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER