Carlsson on comeback vs. Rangers: 'Everybody has that dog in them'

Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson was feeling it after his team completed a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory over the New York Rangers on Friday night.

"I don't know, I just think everybody has that dog in them, so it's easy," he told rinkside reporter Aly Lozoff when asked about Anaheim's no-quit attitude.

Though the Ducks got the last laugh, they didn't make it easy on themselves. They were down 4-2 before the midway mark of the third period after a power-play goal from Mika Zibanejad and proceeded to take four more penalties against the Rangers - including a five-on-three for 1:36.

However, Cutter Gauthier and Olen Zellweger scored in the final six minutes to tie it up for Anaheim, with both goals coming right after a big penalty kill. Mason McTavish completed the comeback in the extra frame with his 20th tally of the season.

Carlsson led the way with a goal and three assists, marking the first four-point outing of his career. The 20-year-old has been red-hot since the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, with 10 goals and 20 points in 18 games over that span.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed by coach Greg Cronin.

"He's come back and he seems like he has more pace to his game, there's more explosiveness," he told reporters, including The Hockey News' Derek Lee.

The bench boss added, "(General manager Pat Verbeek) and his staff did a lot of work scouting him when they drafted him (second overall in 2023). I remember asking Pat about him, 'Is he a playmaker, is he a goal-scorer?' And Pat said he could do both, he's got an elite shot. We weren't seeing that a lot early, and now we're starting to see it. ... I think he's got a really bright future."

Carlsson isn't the only member of the Ducks' younger core who has taken a step since mid-February. McTavish has amassed 18 points in his last 18 outings, while Jackson LaCombe and Cutter Gauthier have 17 and 15 points over that same stretch, respectively.

All four players recorded at least one point against the Rangers. Cronin was happy to see the youth step up on a night where his top line of Frank Vatrano, Ryan Strome, and Troy Terry was held off the scoresheet.

"To me, it's evidence that these young kids are figuring it out," he said. "They're seeing a standard they have to play to, and when the game does get a little bit wobbly, they go back to it."

It wasn't all good news for Anaheim, as rearguard Jacob Trouba exited after falling into the boards in the final frame. Cronin had no update on his status.

The Ducks will go for their third win in a row Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 8 p.m. ET.