{"id":490739,"date":"2026-05-12T08:11:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T12:11:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=490739"},"modified":"2026-05-12T06:00:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T10:00:39","slug":"r2-g5-nhl-predictions-stanley-cup-playoffs-ducks-knights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/05\/12\/r2-g5-nhl-predictions-stanley-cup-playoffs-ducks-knights\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Round 2, Game 5, Stanley Cup Playoffs Anaheim Ducks vs Vegas Golden Knights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another Stanley Cup Playoffs of NHL Predictions. Each day, writers here at Last Word On Hockey<\/em> take a look at the slate of games and predict the outcome. In this edition of Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions, the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights meet for a pivotal Game 5 of their Western Conference Second-Round series. The series is tied 2-2<\/a> after Anaheim earned a dramatic 4-3 victory in Game 4. Now, the series shifts back to Las Vegas, Nevada, with momentum suddenly leaning toward the Ducks.<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions Presents Stanley Cup Playoffs Anaheim Ducks vs Vegas Golden Knights<\/h2>\n

Series: Tied 2-2<\/p>\n

Time<\/strong>: 9:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time | 6:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time<\/p>\n

How to Watch<\/strong> \u2013 US TV: ESPN, ESPN+ | Canada TV: SN, SN360, SN+, TVAS, CBC<\/h3>\n

Location:<\/strong> T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada<\/p>\n

Setting the Stage<\/h3>\n

Anaheim entered the postseason as a dangerous offensive team. However, the Ducks are now proving they can also win structured playoff hockey. Meanwhile, Vegas still possesses elite top-end talent led by Mitch Marner<\/a> and Jack Eichel. However, the Golden Knights suddenly look far less comfortable than they did earlier in the series.<\/p>\n

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Credit Image: \u00a9 Alex Cave\/ZUMA Press Wire<\/span><\/p>\n

Game 4 may have altered the direction of this series<\/a>. Anaheim finally solved the Vegas penalty kill after opening the series 0-for-11 with the man advantage. Furthermore, the Ducks continue receiving major contributions from throughout the lineup. Beckett Sennecke<\/a>, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish<\/a>, Olen Zellweger<\/a>, Mikael Granlund, and Jackson LaCombe are all impacting games in different ways.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Vegas still controls long stretches territorially. The Golden Knights remain one of the NHL\u2019s strongest transition teams, especially with Marner and Eichel driving offence. However, the Mark Stone<\/a> injury situation continues hovering over the series. Vegas looks less connected defensively when Stone is limited. Anaheim has increasingly attacked the middle of the ice because of it.<\/p>\n

This series no longer feels like a young team surviving playoff pressure. Instead, the Ducks are beginning to dictate portions of the matchup.<\/p>\n

Anaheim Ducks Storylines<\/h2>\n

The Ducks are evolving in real time. Earlier in the season, Anaheim relied heavily on rush offence and chaos. However, this playoff run is showing a far more mature version of the team.<\/p>\n

Gauthier delivered three assists in Game 4 after emphasizing more interior and net-front play. Meanwhile, Sennecke continues emerging as one of the breakout players of the postseason. His ability to create offence without sheltered deployment gives Anaheim dangerous lineup flexibility.<\/p>\n

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Power play goal for Anaheim!Scored by Alex Killorn with 02:02 remaining in the 2nd period.Assisted by Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke.Anaheim: 3Vegas: 2#VGKvsANA #FlyTogether #ForgedInGold <\/p>\n

— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-05-11T03:35:00.357057Z<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n