Welcome back to another edition of Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions. Each day, writers here at Last Word On Hockey take a look at the slate of games and predict the outcome. This and other series can be found in the NHL Predictions section. In this edition of Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions, we shift to Game 2 of this second-round Western Conference matchup with the Anaheim Ducks vs Vegas Golden Knights, as the Ducks look to even the series after a strong but frustrating Game 1 loss.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions: Anaheim Ducks vs Vegas Golden Knights Game 2
Series: Vegas leads 1-0
Time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time | 6:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
How to Watch – US TV: TNT, truTV, HBO Max | Canada TV: SN, SN360, TVAS, SN+
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Setting the Stage
Credit Image: © Alex Cave/ZUMA Press Wire
Game 1 produced a result Vegas will happily accept and a performance Anaheim probably preferred. The Golden Knights escaped with a 3-1 victory despite getting outshot 34-22 and spending long stretches defending Anaheim’s pace off the rush. However, playoff hockey does not reward process alone. Vegas capitalized on a few critical mistakes, received another strong performance from Carter Hart, and executed when the game tightened late.
Meanwhile, Anaheim leaves Game 1 believing its formula still works. The Ducks created consistent offensive pressure, generated quality chances, and largely controlled five-on-five play. Furthermore, this group already responded once after dropping Game 1 in Edmonton during Round 1. That experience matters entering another early-series swing game against a structured opponent.
Anaheim Ducks Storylines
Anaheim probably deserved better from Game 1. The Ducks controlled pace, generated more dangerous offensive sequences, and repeatedly pressured Vegas through transition. Leo Carlsson continued emerging as Anaheim’s offensive driver and recorded four shots on goal, while Troy Terry consistently created chances despite failing to finish. Meanwhile, Jackson LaCombe remains one of the most impactful skaters in the playoffs despite one costly missed opportunity on an open net during the second period.
However, Anaheim’s power play still needs results. The Ducks went 0-for-4 Monday despite extended offensive-zone possession on multiple opportunities. Against Vegas, failing to capitalize on momentum swings quickly becomes dangerous.
Furthermore, the Ducks cannot allow frustration from Game 1 to linger. Head coach Joel Quenneville emphasized the positives afterward, and the underlying numbers support that confidence. If Anaheim replicates Monday’s process while tightening execution, this series likely becomes far more complicated for Vegas than the opening score suggested.
Anaheim goal!Scored by Mikael Granlund with 06:03 remaining in the 3rd period.Assisted by Jackson LaCombe and John Carlson.Vegas: 1Anaheim: 1#ANAvsVGK #ForgedInGold #FlyTogether
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) 2026-05-05T04:26:01.436614Z
Vegas Golden Knights Storylines
Vegas enters Game 2 with the series lead despite openly admitting it did not play its cleanest game Monday night. Ivan Barbashev scored the decisive third-period goal after a controversial waved-off icing sequence, while Brett Howden continued his playoff surge with his fourth consecutive game featuring a goal. Meanwhile, Jack Eichel once again drove transition play and finished with another multi-point performance.
Vegas goal!Scored by Ivan Barbashev with 04:58 remaining in the 3rd period.Assisted by Pavel Dorofeyev.Vegas: 2Anaheim: 1#ANAvsVGK #ForgedInGold #FlyTogether
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) 2026-05-05T04:26:58.589247Z
However, the real stabilizer remains Hart. The Vegas goaltender stopped 33 shots in Game 1 and continues erasing defensive breakdowns before momentum fully shifts. Furthermore, Vegas’ defensive structure still represents the central challenge for Anaheim. The Golden Knights consistently compress space through the neutral zone and force teams into lower-percentage perimeter looks once possession settles.
If Vegas cleans up some of the defensive-zone scrambling from Game 1, the Golden Knights become significantly more dangerous moving forward.
The Model
The blended model incorporates projections from the in-house model, MoneyPuck, HockeyStats, and market odds with vig removed. Each component is weighted evenly to generate a final probability and corresponding fair odds.
MoneyPuck projects Vegas around 62 percent entering Game 2, while market odds in the -160 range closely align after removing vig. HockeyStats supports a similar projection, emphasizing Vegas’ defensive consistency and goaltending edge. However, Anaheim’s Game 1 territorial advantage narrows the gap slightly within the in-house model, particularly after controlling five-on-five shot generation throughout large stretches of play.
After blending all inputs, Vegas lands near the 57 to 59 percent range. Fair odds project closer to -135 rather than the current market number, leaving modest value on Anaheim entering Game 2.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Prediction
Vegas won Game 1, but Anaheim looked faster, more dangerous, and more connected for much of the night. The Ducks consistently pressured Vegas through the neutral zone and created enough quality chances to win. However, missed opportunities and special-teams failures ultimately buried them late.
Meanwhile, this Anaheim group already proved capable of responding after an opening loss against Edmonton. Carlsson continues trending toward a legitimate playoff breakout, while the Ducks’ transition game still appears capable of stressing Vegas defensively. If Anaheim converts even one early power-play opportunity, the complexion of this game changes significantly.
Expect Vegas to push harder structurally after Monday’s uneven performance. However, Anaheim’s speed and offensive pressure should finally translate onto the scoreboard.
Prediction: Ducks win 4-3 (Model Probability: ~43%)
Stanley Cup Playoffs Prediction Record: 6–1
Prop Bets of the Night
Leo Carlsson over 3.5 shots on goal (-105) remains one of the cleanest trends available in this series. Carlsson recorded four shots Monday night and continues driving Anaheim’s offensive creation at five-on-five. His confidence carrying the puck through traffic continues growing every game, and Vegas still has not consistently slowed his line through the neutral zone.
Meanwhile, Troy Terry anytime point (-160) offers strong value entering Game 2. Terry hit a post in the opener and generated several dangerous sequences that easily could have resulted in offence. If Anaheim finally converts some of its sustained offensive-zone pressure, Terry likely ends up involved somewhere along the way.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Record: 11–8 (+0.81 units)
All line combinations and goaltenders are subject to change. Always check team reports prior to puck drop.
Main Photo Credit: Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images
