In this article we will formulate a Ducks vs Golden Knights prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, May 10th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.
Anaheim Ducks Betting Preview
The Anaheim Ducks are down 1-2 in this series after they lost two of the first three games by scores of 1-3, 3-1, and 2-6. In game three, Anaheim trailed 5-0 after the second period, but they did score twice in the third to avoid the shutout. The Ducks recorded 33 shots on goal, won 43.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Anaheim got goals from Kreider and Sennecke, while Dostal stopped five out of eight shots and Husso stopped 17 out of 19 in relief.
Prior to this series, Anaheim defeated the Oilers in six games by scores of 3-4, 6-4, 7-4, 4-3, 1-4, and 5-2. The Ducks have lost three of their last five games and they finished third in the Pacific standings with 92 points. Anaheim scored 3.23 goals per game and they allowed 3.51 goals against per game, while also going 18.6% on the power play and 76.4% on the penalty kill this season. Jackson LaCombe has led the Ducks with one goal and nine assists, while Leo Carlsson has added four goals and six assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Anaheim is Lukas Dostal, who is 5-4 with a 3.48 goals against average and an .876 save percentage this postseason.
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
The Vegas Golden Knights are up 2-1 in this series after they won game three by a score of 6-2. Vegas scored three goals in the first period and two in the second period, before they cruised to the easy victory in the third. The Golden Knights recorded 28 shots on goal, won 56.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Vegas got goals from Howden, Marner (3), McNabb, and Theodore, while Hart stopped 31 out of 33 shots, which was a .939 save percentage.
Prior to this series, Vegas defeated the Mammoth in six games by scores of 4-2, 2-3, 2-4, 5-4, 5-4, and 5-1. The Golden Knights have won five of their last six games and they finished first in the Pacific standings with 95 points. Vegas scored 3.22 goals per game and they allowed 2.95 goals against per game, while also going 24.6% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill this season. Mitch Marner has led the Golden Knights with six goals and seven assists, while Jack Eichel has added one goal and 10 assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Vegas is Carter Hart, who is 6-3 with a 2.39 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this postseason.
Why the Anaheim Ducks will win
- The Ducks have won 10 of their last 11 games as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Golden Knights have lost three of their last four games as road favorites following a road win.
- The Golden Knights have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 12 games as road favorites following a road win.
- The Ducks have covered the puck line in 12 of their last 13 games as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Ducks have won the third period in each of their last eight home games against Pacific Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Vegas Golden Knights will win
- The Golden Knights have won five of their last six games.
- The Ducks have lost four of their last five games following a home loss.
- The road team has covered the puck line in four of the Golden Knights’ last five games.
- The Golden Knights have won the first period in seven of their last eight games against the Ducks following a road win.
Total Goals Facts
- Ten of the Ducks’ last 12 home games following a home loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Golden Knights’ last three night games at Honda Center have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Ducks’ last nine games as home underdogs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 12 of the Golden Knights’ last 13 games as road favorites.
Anaheim Ducks Player Prop Facts
- Cutter Gauthier has scored at least one goal in each of the Ducks’ last five Sunday games against Pacific Division opponents at Honda Center.
- Leo Carlsson has recorded at least one assist in each of his last nine appearances with the Ducks as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- Chris Kreider has scored three goals against the Golden Knights this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Vegas Golden Knights Player Prop Facts
- Brett Howden has scored at least one goal in five of the Golden Knights’ last six games.
- Jack Eichel has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Golden Knights’ last 10 games against the Ducks.
- Pavel Dorofeyev ranks 2nd in the league for Power Play Goals (20) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Anaheim Ducks rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.51).
- The Anaheim Ducks rank 27th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (76.36%).
- The Vegas Golden Knights rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.47%).
- The Vegas Golden Knights rank 7th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.37%).
Ducks vs Golden Knights Prediction
Vegas dominated game three to take a 2-1 series lead on Friday night and they have allowed two goals or fewer in three of their last four games. The Golden Knights were 19-14-8 on the road this year, while the Ducks were 24-13-4 at home. Anaheim has alternated wins and losses over their last five games, but they have been very good at bouncing back from a loss and they are great on home ice. We are going to see a desperate Anaheim team in this game, which I think will cause even more defensive breakdowns. Take the over here.