Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Prediction for Friday May 8 2026
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The Western Conference Second Round continues Friday night when the Vegas Golden Knights visit the Anaheim Ducks in Game 3 at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 PM on May 8, 2026, with coverage on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. The series is tied 1-1 after Anaheim answered back in Game 2. Vegas is listed at -112 on the moneyline, while Anaheim is listed at -108, and the total is set at 5.5 goals. Get the best NHL picks around with our free NHL picks.
Previous Game Recap
Game 2 went to Anaheim by a 3-1 final score as the Ducks evened the series against Vegas. After a scoreless first period, Anaheim broke through in the second and then added two more goals in the third period to take control. Vegas managed one goal in the final frame, but the Golden Knights could not complete the comeback as the Ducks responded from their Game 1 loss with a strong road victory.
Anaheim received goals from Leo Carlsson, Jansen Harkins, and Beckett Sennecke in the win. Chris Kreider, Ryan Poehling, Troy Terry, and Jeffrey Viel each added assists as the Ducks spread the production across the lineup. Lukas Dostal was excellent in net, stopping 21 of 22 shots and finishing with a .955 save percentage. Anaheim also generated 27 shots and limited Vegas to just one goal.
Vegas got its lone goal from Mark Stone, while Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore each recorded an assist. Ivan Barbashev led the Golden Knights with five shots, while Rasmus Andersson added three shots from the blue line. Carter Hart stopped 25 of 27 shots and posted a .926 save percentage, keeping Vegas competitive despite the loss. The Golden Knights finished with 22 shots and could not find enough offense to match Anaheim’s third-period push.
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Golden Knights Searching for a Road Response
The Vegas Golden Knights enter Game 3 with a 39-26-17 overall record and a 19-14-8 mark away from home. Vegas recently lost to Anaheim 3-1 after recently won over the Ducks by the same 3-1 score in Game 1. Before this series, the Golden Knights recently won over Utah three straight times, including victories by scores of 5-1, 5-4 in double overtime, and 5-4 in overtime. Vegas has won three of its last five games entering Friday night.
Vegas averaged 3.22 goals per game during the season while allowing 2.95 goals against. The Golden Knights averaged 29.0 shots per game and allowed only 24.4 shots against, which is one of the more important statistical edges in this matchup. Vegas also produced 58 power-play goals with a 24.6 percent power-play rate, while the penalty kill operated at 81.4 percent.
The biggest strength for Vegas is its ability to control shot volume. The Golden Knights allow only 24.4 shots per game, which gives them a path to bounce back if they can return to their usual defensive structure. The concern is finishing, as Vegas scored only one goal in Game 2 despite getting solid goaltending.
Ducks Return Home With Momentum
The Anaheim Ducks enter Game 3 with a 43-33-6 overall record and a 24-13-4 home record. Anaheim recently won over Vegas 3-1 after recently lost to the Golden Knights 3-1 in Game 1. Before this series, the Ducks recently won over Edmonton 5-2 and also recently won over Edmonton 4-3 in overtime, while also recently lost to Edmonton 4-1. Anaheim has won three of its last five games entering this home matchup.
Anaheim averaged 3.23 goals per game while allowing 3.51 goals against during the season. The Ducks averaged 30.8 shots per game and allowed 28.4 shots against. Anaheim scored 49 power-play goals with an 18.6 percent power-play rate, while the penalty kill finished at 76.4 percent. The Ducks also scored eight shorthanded goals during the season.
Anaheim’s key strength is its shot generation and home profile. The Ducks average more shots per game than Vegas and now return home after evening the series. The main concern is the defensive number, as Anaheim allowed 3.51 goals per game during the season, but Game 2 showed the Ducks can tighten things up when they get strong goaltending.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Prediction
Moneyline Pick
- Anaheim Ducks
The pick is the Anaheim Ducks moneyline. Anaheim just responded with a 3-1 road win in Game 2 and now returns home with the series tied. The Ducks have the better overall record, the stronger home record, and a slight edge in goals per game and shots per game. Vegas has the better goals-against number and has been strong at limiting shots, but Anaheim’s Game 2 response was impressive enough to give the Ducks the lean at home in what looks like a tight matchup.
Total Pick
- Under 5.5
The lean is toward the under 5.5 goals. The first two games of this series both finished 3-1, meaning each stayed under this total. Vegas allows only 2.95 goals per game and just 24.4 shots against, while Anaheim just held the Golden Knights to one goal in Game 2. With the series tied and both teams coming off lower-scoring results against each other, another tight playoff-style game makes the under the stronger side.
Final Score Prediction: Anaheim Ducks 3 – Vegas Golden Knights 2
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