Written by Gina Anton
Cutter Gauthier is making it increasingly difficult to overlook his place in Anaheim's offense. After going nine games without a goal, the 22-year-old winger has scored eight times in his last three appearances, including back-to-back hat tricks against the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks. His latest performance helped the Ducks secure a 5-4 victory Tuesday, making him the first player in franchise history to record hat tricks in consecutive games.
The recent scoring surge is particularly significant given the role Gauthier has already established in Anaheim. Last season, he led the Ducks with 41 goals and 69 points in 76 games, emerging as one of the team's most productive offensive players. He has continued that production into the new season, but his latest stretch highlights another dimension of his game: his ability to change the outcome of a game through the power play. Six of his eight goals over the past three games have come with the man advantage, giving him a league-leading eight power-play goals this season.
Gauthier's emergence also comes as Anaheim's young core continues to develop around him. Beckett Sennecke, who recorded a career-high four assists against Vancouver, and Leo Carlsson are among the young players helping shape the team's offensive identity. With Gauthier already established as a leading scorer, Anaheim is beginning to see what its offense can look like when its young talent produces together. His recent performances are another indication that he is becoming a central figure in that direction.
