In this article we will formulate a Ducks vs Golden Knights prediction for this NHL game on Friday, May 8th 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 tied 1-1 in this series after they split the first two games by scores of 1-3 and 3-1. In game two, Anaheim led 1-0 after two periods and they scored the first two goals in the third to seal the win. The Ducks recorded 28 shots on goal, won 36.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Anaheim got goals from Carlsson, Harkins, and Sennecke, while Dostal stopped 21 out of 22 shots, which was a .955 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 won five of their last seven 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 five assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Anaheim is Lukas Dostal, who is 5-3 with a 3.22 goals against average and an .886 save percentage this postseason.
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
The Vegas Golden Knights are tied 1-1 in this series after they lost game two by a score of 3-1. Vegas had trouble generating shots all night, but they finally scored with six seconds left in the game to avoid the shutout. The Golden Knights recorded 22 shots on goal, won 63.2% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Vegas got their lone goal from Stone, while Hart stopped 25 out of 27 shots, which was a .926 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 four of their last five 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. Jack Eichel has led the Golden Knights with one goal and nine assists, while Mitch Marner has added three goals and six assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Vegas is Carter Hart, who is 5-3 with a 2.44 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this postseason.
Why the Anaheim Ducks will win
- The Ducks have won each of their last 10 games as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Golden Knights have lost 10 of their last 11 games as favorites following a home loss.
- The Ducks have covered the puck line in each of their last 12 games as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Golden Knights have failed to cover the puck line in 25 of their last 27 games as favorites following a home loss.
- The Golden Knights have lost the second period in each of their last seven games as road favorites following a loss.
Why the Vegas Golden Knights will win
- The Golden Knights have won four of their last five games.
- The road team has covered the puck line in three of the Golden Knights’ last four games.
- The Golden Knights have won the third period in each of their last nine Friday night games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Ducks’ last 10 Friday home games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Golden Knights’ last six games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eleven of the last 12 Friday 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 eight games as home underdogs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Golden Knights’ last six games following a loss.
Anaheim Ducks Player Prop Facts
- Cutter Gauthier has scored at least one goal in seven of his last eight home appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
- Leo Carlsson has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight appearances with the Ducks as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- Jacob Trouba has recorded four assists against the Golden Knights this season – most against any opponent.
Vegas Golden Knights Player Prop Facts
- Brett Howden has scored at least one goal in four of the Golden Knights’ last five games.
- Jack Eichel has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Golden Knights’ last nine 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
Anaheim has outshot Vegas in the first two games of this series and I think they have been the slightly better team. The Ducks were 24-13-4 at home this year, while the Golden Knights were 19-14-8 on the road. Vegas has won four of their last five games, but two of those wins were in overtime against Utah. I think Anaheim has a ton of momentum coming into this matchup and they have won four of the five meetings with Vegas this year. Take the Ducks to win at home.