Late in the first period, after an opening 15 minutes that lived up to the built-up drama, Ducks goalie Jonathan Bernier took issue with Connor McDavid.
The NHL’s scoring leader had just dazzled the Honda Center crowd with another highlight goal, but Bernier took issue with his extra whacks in the crease and jabbed McDavid in the chest.
The message was metaphorical: Edmonton might have the league’s thoroughbred, but the Ducks have the horses to stand up to it. It showed in a 4-3 win Wednesday that tantalized as a potential playoff preview.