Anaheim Ducks vs Vegas Golden Knights Prediction: Who Will Set the Tone In Game 1?
Updated July 9, 2026
The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs continues with Game 1 between the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night. Anaheim arrives fresh off an impressive series win over the Edmonton Oilers, showing offensive depth and strong special teams. Vegas enters as the Pacific Division winner with home-ice advantage and a roster built for playoff runs. With both teams playing well over the past two weeks, Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 1 is set to be an interesting one from Vegas.
Anaheim enters Game 1 with strong recent results, winning 4 of its last 5 games and eliminating a high-powered Oilers team in the previous round. The Ducks got contributions across multiple lines and will need their depth to continue to deliver here. Vegas has been equally steady, winning the final three games of their series against the Utah Mammoth to make it to this stage of the postseason.
The crease battle could decide Game 1. Lukas Dostal is expected to start for Anaheim after posting a save percentage below .880 and a goals-against average near 3.9 in the first round of playoff action. Vegas counters with Carter Hart, who holds the edge statistically with a .898 save percentage and a 2.72 goals-against average in round one. Neither team has been all that impressive in net early in the playoffs, but Vegas gets the slight nod there.
The Ducks are driven by young talent like Leo Carlsson, who has produced 8 points with 28 shots in the postseason, along with Troy Terry and Cutter Gauthier contributing timely scoring. On the Vegas side, Jack Eichel continues to anchor the offense with 9 points, supported by players such as Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl.
My best bet for this game is not for either side to come away with the win. Instead, I recommend taking the game to go over 6.5 goals. All three of the previous meetings between these teams this season have gone over that 6.5 goal total, and we should see more of the same here.
Both offenses involved in this game were excellent in the late stages of their first-round series wins, with Anaheim playing in especially impressive fashion as an underdog against the Oilers. Look for both teams to pour in some goals and for this contest to go over the total in the first game of what should be an entertaining series.
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