Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 1 Prediction, NHL Odds
It’s the first ever meeting in the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Ducks and Golden Knights, as before this Anaheim hadn’t even made the playoffs since 2017–18 a.k.a. Vegas’ inaugural season.
Anaheim proved their legitimacy last round though, taking down Edmonton in six games. The Golden Knights clutched up when it mattered in their first-round series, defeating Utah in six games. This second-round series is a bout of Anaheim’s youth vs. Vegas’ experience, albeit both sides bring legendary coaches to the table with Joel Quenneville and John Tortorella.
Puck drop at T-Mobile Arena for Game 1 goes at 9:30 p.m. EDT, with the Golden Knights a -165 moneyline favourite on home ice and the total at 6.5 on the NHL playoff odds.
Ducks vs. Golden Knights NHL Betting Odds
Five of Anaheim’s six games last round finished over the total, as the Ducks averaged 4.33 goals per game. Vegas found their offensive stride in the opening round too, scoring five goals in each of their last three wins and averaging 3.83 goals per game. No team in the NHL had more of their regular season games finish over the total than the Ducks, who were 49-33 to it this year.
Vegas’ home ice advantage should play a big role in this series too. The Golden Knights went 2-1 at home last round, while Anaheim went 1-2 on the road last series. The Ducks were just under .500 on the road this season too, going 19-20-2. Vegas finished 20-12-9 on home ice. Anaheim swept Vegas in three meetings this season, winning all three games by a score of 4-3 and two of those wins coming in overtime.
Oddsmakers haver priced Vegas at -210 to win this series, and Anaheim at +170. The most likely series outcome is Vegas in five games which is +375 on the NHL odds.
Anaheim Ducks
The pressure of the Stanley Cup Playoffs didn’t get to the Ducks youngsters, as a large chunk of this roster was suiting up for their first playoff action against Edmonton. Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry led all Ducks forwards with eight points, while Cutter Gauthier was right behind with four goals and seven points and six games. Alex Killorn, one of the only experienced veterans on Anaheim, also played a pivotal role on offence with three goals and three assists.
But perhaps the biggest revelation was the arrival of 25-year-old Jackson LaCombe to the national stage. LaCombe tallied a team-high nine points against Edmonton, leading Anaheim in scoring as a defenceman. It’s just LaCombe’s third NHL season, but he’s now a gold medal Olympian with Team USA and logging nearly 27 minutes a night in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Lukas Dostal should be the guy in net for the Ducks to start the series. Dostal started all six games against Edmonton and finished with an .874 save percentage.
Vegas Golden Knights
Mitch Marner found a clutch gene in the post-season. Playing in the playoffs for the first time as a member of someone other than Toronto, Marner delivered two huge goals in Vegas’ series-clinching win over Utah. Marner’s seven points in the opening round was second on Vegas to Jack Eichel, who had a goal and eight assists. Brett Howden led the way with four goals for the Golden Knights, headlined by an overtime winner in Game 5.
One of the most important additions for the Golden Knights has been goalie Carter Hart. The 27-year-old really found his game in April, posting a .930 save percentage in Vegas’ final six games this month and then posted a save percentage above .930 in three of the Golden Knights’ wins last round. Hart will have his work cut out for him against the young, offensive Ducks squad but Hart appears to be up for the challenge.
