Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in key head-to-head matchups. Today, we preview the Anaheim Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks. Check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024–25 season continues.
Head to Head: Ducks 1 – 2 Canucks
Time: 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: SNP; Victory+; KCOP-13; ESPN+
The Anaheim Ducks (33-34-8) continue their western Canada road trip, heading to Rogers Arena to face the Vancouver Canucks (34-28-13) on Saturday, April 5th. This is the fourth and final meeting between these Pacific Division rivals this season, with Vancouver leading the series 2–1. The Ducks will be aiming to even the season series. The last time the two teams met, Vancouver held on for a 3-2 victory. The time before that was one of Anaheim’s most complete games of the season with a 5 -2 victory. Both teams are looking to end recent skids and finish the season on a positive note.
For this edition of NHL Predictions, the Ducks are coming off a 4–1 loss to the Calgary Flames on April 3rd, a defeat that officially eliminated them from playoff contention. In that game, Olen Zellweger scored the lone goal for Anaheim in his “homecoming” game with his parents in attendance. Meanwhile, goaltender John Gibson made 23 saves before leaving after two periods due to yet another injury. Lukas Dostal stepped in for the third period, allowing one goal on eight shots.
Offensively, the Ducks have shown flashes of potential, particularly from their young core. Mason McTavish has been a standout, recording three assists and the decisive shootout goal in a recent 4–3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on April 1st. However, the Ducks looked like their early season selves against Calgary, as they were unable to connect on passes and had blown defensive coverage. Defensively, consistency has been an issue all season, and with unconfirmed rumours that Radko Gudas has been playing injured all season, things are not looking great for the last seven games. With Gibson’s status uncertain, Dostal will likely get the start against Vancouver.
The Canucks are on a three-game losing streak, with their most recent setback being a 5–0 shutout loss to the Seattle Kraken on April 2nd. This defeat dealt a significant blow to their playoff aspirations, leaving them eight points out of a post-season spot with seven games remaining.
Vancouver’s offence has struggled during this skid, and their defence has been porous, conceding 14 goals over the three losses. Pius Suter and Aatu Raty are good players, but those two being the leading scorers over the last five games on a team with Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser is not a good sign. The top players on the Canucks need to play at the top of their game for the final seven games. Goaltender Thatcher Demko will also need to be at his best to give the Canucks a chance to snap their losing streak and keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Expect Rick Tocchet to ride Demko until the Canucks are either eliminated or clinch a playoff spot.
Both teams are desperate for a win, but Vancouver’s faint playoff hopes provide added motivation, as was the case in Calgary. Expect the Canucks to come out aggressively, aiming to exploit Anaheim’s defensive inconsistencies. The Ducks will rely on their young talent to generate offence, but Vancouver’s urgency and home-ice advantage will tilt the scales in their favor.
Prediction: Canucks win 3–2
We close out our NHL Predictions for the Anaheim Ducks versus Vancouver Canucks with some of our preferred prop bets of the night. After looking motivated against Calgary, consider Troy Terry anytime goal (+310). Also, look at the total goals under 5.5 (+104), anticipating a closely contested, low-scoring game as both teams tighten up defensively. Season record: (19-31).
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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