Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in head-to-head matchups. Today, we preview the Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks. Check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks
Head to Head: Canucks 1 – 0 Ducks
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SNP; TVAS; Victory+; KCOP-13; ESPN+
The Anaheim Ducks (25-25-7) return home to host the Vancouver Canucks (27-20-11) at Honda Center in Anaheim on February 27. This will be the second of four meetings between the Pacific Division rivals. Vancouver won the first matchup, also in Anaheim, on November 5th, 5 – 1. Quinn Hughes had a “hat-trick” of assists that game including his 300th career assist. The Ducks will look to end their two-game skid and avenge the loss earlier in the season. These two teams are separated by only six points in the race for a wild card spot. Expect an intense, playoff-esque game.
Vancouver Canucks Looking to Solidify Wild Card Spot
Vancouver is playing their second game of the Southern California back-to-back. Last night, they defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime.
The Canucks are looking for more scoring and more consistency. They are (6-3-1) in their previous 10 games. Canucks fans, management, and coaches are looking at Elias Pettersson under a microscope in the wake of the J.T. Miller trade. Pettersson simply isn’t playing with confidence right now, but the team needs him to just make the playoffs, let alone make a deeper run than last year. Maybe two games against Anaheim in the next week will help him break out. After Kevin Lankinen played against the Kings last night, expect Artus Silovs to start in Anaheim. Silovs has a 3.82 goals against average and .862 save percentage this season.
Anaheim Ducks Should be Highly Motivated
The Ducks appeared to have one foot on the plane home against the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night. After starting strong and scoring two powerplay goals to take a 2-0 lead, the Ducks looked checked out in the third period. The Sabres scored three unanswered goals and won 3-2. Anaheim will be happy to see their 31st-ranked powerplay starting to click, but third periods like Tuesday night should be unacceptable for a team looking to play “meaningful games and make the playoffs“.
Anaheim will hope that home ice can get them back on track. They are a solid 7-2-1 in their previous 10 games. Leo Carlsson is leading the way at a point-per-game in the previous five games. The Ducks will need him and others to step up in Trevor Zegras‘ absence. The Ducks’ season started to turn around once Zegras returned from injury and losing the first game of his three-game suspension only further indicates his importance to the team.
Even though he played against Buffalo, the Ducks need points and this is the most important game of the season so far. With that, expect Lukas Dostal to start. Dostal has a 2.93 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season.
Prediction
Both teams need points and will come out flying in this one. Expect this to be the most intense game of the season so far for both teams. Don’t be surprised to see a fight or two as well. The first five minutes of the game will be a great predictor of the outcome. If the Ducks carry over their lackluster effort from Buffalo, Vancouver will take this game easily. If Vancouver limps into the game after a war with the Kings, the Ducks should take the two points. Ultimately, the difference makers will be Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson. Vancouver’s offensive talent will be too much for the young Ducks. The Canucks will make the already tall hill even tougher for Anaheim to climb.
Prediction: Canucks win 4 – 2
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out our NHL Prediction for the Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks with some of our preferred prop bets of the night. Take a look at McTavish anytime goal (+290). Odds courtesy of FanDuel. Record this season (8-18).
Note: Always check the latest team news and player statuses before placing any bets, as injuries and other factors can influence game outcomes.
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