Anaheim Ducks will face Edmonton Oilers in first home playoff game since 2018

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Background: The Ducks won that series in 2018, a feat they hope to repeat. The first-round series is tied at 1-1 heading into tonight’s home game. Whoever wins this round gets to move on to Round 2 against either the Vegas Golden Knights or the Utah Mammoth.

The Ducks have won it all before, hoisting the Stanley Cup back in 2007.

What are fans saying? Jordy Hardin of Torrance became a fan about four years ago. Tonight will be her first time seeing a game in person at the Honda Center.

“I am so excited that we finally get to watch the game at home,” Hardin said. “The watch parties have been fun and gave me a little taste of what to expect for tonight, but I know the energy in the arena is going to be at an all-time high.”

How did we get here? The Ducks’ front office brought in veteran coach Joel Quenneville as head coach last May, replacing Greg Cronin after just two seasons. Quenneville has won more than 1,000 games as a coach and is second on the NHL’s all-time coaching wins list. He led the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Hardin told LAist he has been doing what he was hired to do.

“Hearing interviews from the players talk about how much the vibes in the locker room have changed and visibly seeing that translate to their chemistry on the ice has made a huge difference in this team and has helped them get this far,” Hardin said.

Head to a watch party: Game time is 7 p.m. There are several bars and breweries around Anaheim to catch the game, including:

• Lopez & Lefty’s
  1759 S. Claudina Way
• Karl Strauss Brewing Company 
  2390 E. Orangewood Ave., Suite #100
• Brewery X 
  3191 E. La Palma (Get a Duck Beer if you really want to go full-on fan.)

Or watch it at home: For those watching from home, the game will be broadcast on Fox and streamed on Victory+.