In this article we will formulate a Ducks vs Golden Knights prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, May 14th 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 2-3 in this series after they lost three of the first five games by scores of 1-3, 3-1, 2-6, 4-3, and 2-3. In game five, Anaheim led 1-0 in the first period, but they needed a goal with about five minutes left in the third to tie it, before losing in OT. The Ducks recorded 36 shots on goal, won 46.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Anaheim got goals from Sennecke and Zellweger, while Dostal stopped 29 out of 32 shots, which was a .906 save percentage.
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 alternated wins and losses over their last eight 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. Cutter Gauthier has led the Ducks with four goals and eight 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 6-5 with a 3.36 goals against average and an .878 save percentage this postseason.
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
The Vegas Golden Knights are up 3-2 in this series after they won game five in overtime by a score of 3-2 on Tuesday night. Vegas blew a 2-1 lead late in the third, but they rallied to score 4:10 into OT for the win. The Golden Knights recorded 32 shots on goal, won 53.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-1 on the power play in the game. Vegas got goals from Dorofeyev (2) and Hertl, while Hart stopped 34 out of 36 shots, which was a .944 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 six of their last eight 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 10 assists, while Jack Eichel has added one goal and 14 assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Vegas is Carter Hart, who is 7-4 with a 2.49 goals against average and a .912 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 two of their last three games as favorites following a home win.
- The Ducks have covered the puck line in 12 of their last 13 games as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Golden Knights have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games as road favorites after coming off overtime.
- 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 each of their last six road games following a home win.
- The Ducks have lost each of their last four games after coming off overtime.
- The Golden Knights have covered the puck line in each of their last six road games following a home win.
- The Ducks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three home games after coming off overtime.
- The Golden Knights have won the second period in each of their last six games as favorites after coming off overtime.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Golden Knights’ last six games against the Ducks following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the last four games between the Golden Knights and Ducks 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 3′ market has hit in each of the Golden Knights’ last 10 games following an overtime win.
Anaheim Ducks Player Prop Facts
- Beckett Sennecke has scored the first goal in three of the Ducks’ last four games.
- Beckett Sennecke has scored a goal in each of the Ducks’ last four games.
- 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 each of the Golden Knights’ last four road games.
- Jack Eichel has recorded at least one assist in each of the Golden Knights’ last six road 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 comes into this matchup looking to advance to the next round of the playoffs, but they have had their hands full with this Ducks team. The Golden Knights were 19-14-8 on the road this year, while the Ducks were 24-13-4 at home. Anaheim has been the better team for a good portion of this series in my opinion, but Hart has been elite for Vegas in net. I think this will be another very close game, but Anaheim has been very good on home ice and it’s only a matter of time until Hart has an off game. Take the Ducks at home.