Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the slate of games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. This edition features a Western Conference matchup as the Anaheim Ducks visit the Nashville Predators. With Anaheim already in the playoffs but still jockeying for position, and Nashville now playing for pride, the stakes are far more urgent for one side than the other. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions as we continue tracking the 2025–26 season.
NHL Predictions: Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators
2025–26 Season Series: Tied 1–1
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
How to Watch – US TV: ESPN+, FDSNSO, Victory+, KCOP-13 | Canada TV: SNO, SN+
Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennesee
Setting the Stage
Anaheim enters at 42–33–6, while Nashville sits at 38–33–10 in a matchup that still matters for the Ducks. Importantly, Anaheim has already clinched a Stanley Cup Playoff berth, but seeding remains fluid, and every point still shapes potential Round 1 matchups. Meanwhile, Nashville has fallen out of the race, which creates an odd dynamic where one team is still playing for something tangible and the other is left to play spoiler.
Credit Image: © Alex Cave/ZUMA Press Wire
Furthermore, this is a familiar stylistic battle. Anaheim remains one of the league’s better territorial teams, ranking near the top in five-on-five expected goals, shot share, and overall possession. However, the Ducks still leave the door open with shaky finishing and defensive lapses. On the other side, Nashville profiles as a much more average club by the numbers, but one that can still punish mistakes and lean on stronger goaltending. As a result, this game comes down to whether Anaheim’s process finally wins cleanly or whether Nashville again turns a tight script into a frustrating one.
Anaheim Ducks Storyline
Anaheim continues to look stronger on paper than in the standings over the past few weeks. The Ducks carry a 52.20 CF% and a 50.60 xGF%, which confirms they are still driving play at five-on-five. Meanwhile, their 47.04 GF% tells the more annoying story. They have controlled enough puck to deserve better results, but not enough finishing or defensive execution to cash in consistently.
Leo Carlsson remains the clearest offensive driver. He is generating volume, touching every important offensive sequence, and continuing to look like the centre-piece of the attack. Additionally, Troy Terry remains Anaheim’s best playmaker, while John Carlson has added real offensive punch from the blue line. However, the defensive profile still creates headaches. The Ducks rank poorly in goals against and continue to allow the wrong kind of chances at the wrong time. If they are loose in transition again, Nashville has enough veterans to make them pay.
Nashville Predators Storyline
Nashville’s profile is much flatter. The Predators carry a 50.25 CF% and a 50.05 xGF%, which suggests a team living close to the middle. They do not dominate territorially, but they are not getting caved in either. However, their 45.85 GF% shows why they are no longer in the playoff picture. The process is acceptable. The finishing has not been.
Still, the Predators have enough top-end experience to make this uncomfortable. Filip Forsberg remains their most dangerous scorer, while Ryan O’Reilly continues to drive reliable two-way play and Steven Stamkos can still finish when given room. Furthermore, Roman Josi remains the engine from the back end, capable of changing a game with one activation. The biggest edge, though, may be in goal. Juuse Saros gives Nashville the better ceiling in a close game, and that matters against an Anaheim team that has developed an unfortunate habit of controlling stretches without landing the knockout punch.
The Model
The blended model sees this as a much tighter game than Anaheim’s underlying numbers alone would suggest. The in-house model still gives the Ducks some credit for their stronger five-on-five profile, but MoneyPuck leans slightly toward Nashville at 52.2 percent. HockeyStats also gives the Predators a narrow edge with a projected 3.4 to 3.2 goal split.
After blending internal metrics with public models and market pricing near pick ’em, this game lands very close to even. Fair odds project just slightly toward Nashville, largely because the Predators have the goaltending advantage and Anaheim has been far too generous with finishing variance lately.
NHL Prediction
This is the kind of game Anaheim probably should win if process were always rewarded on schedule. The Ducks are the better territorial team, they still have more to play for, and they should spend more time on offence. Meanwhile, Nashville is not built to overwhelm teams for long stretches and has spent most of the season hovering around league average.
However, Anaheim has made this exact kind of game far harder than it needs to be. The Ducks have struggled to turn chances into separation, while Nashville still has enough veteran skill and the better goaltending card to survive under pressure.
Prediction: Predators win 3–2 (Model Probability: ~52%)
2025–26 Season Prediction Record: 17–18
Prop Bets of the Night
This matchup again points toward shot volume rather than broad Ducks scoring trust. First, Leo Carlsson over 2.5 shots (-125) remains the cleanest look on the board. His role, usage, and volume profile continue to hold even when Anaheim’s finishing disappears for a night. That is a helpful trait on this team lately.
Meanwhile, Filip Forsberg to record a point (-195) fits the game script from Nashville’s side. Anaheim still gives up enough defensive mistakes to create quality looks, and Forsberg remains the Predators’ most likely forward to cash in on one. For a more aggressive angle, Ryan O’Reilly to record a point (-145) is worth consideration as well. His usage across all situations and his ability to capitalize on broken coverage make him a sensible plus-money target if the number is there.
Together, these plays reflect a game where Anaheim likely controls more of the puck, while Nashville’s top veterans remain the more trustworthy finishers.
2025–26 Season Betting Record: 42–35 (+8.99 units)
Projected lineups and starting goaltenders are based on available information at the time of writing. Please check official team sources prior to placing any wagers.
Main Photo Credit: Ryan Sun-Imagn Images
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