The Western Conference semifinal between the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights has turned into one of the most entertaining series of the NHL Playoffs. Both teams have traded wins through the first four games, and the pressure now shifts back to Las Vegas for a crucial Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena. Anaheim responded strongly after their heavy Game 3 defeat and showed once again that they can match Vegas in speed, physicality, and offensive creativity. Vegas still hold home-ice advantage, but the Ducks have proven they are capable of stealing games on the road.
Match Details
| Match | Anaheim Ducks vs Vegas Golden Knights |
|---|---|
| Tournament | NHL Playoffs 2026 |
| Date | 12 May 2026 |
| Venue | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas |
| Time | 9:30 PM ET |
| TV Broadcast | ESPN |
Series Score
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | 2 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 2 |
The series has remained completely balanced with both teams winning one home and one away game.
Recent Match Results
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May 2026 | Ducks vs Golden Knights | Ducks 4-3 |
| 09 May 2026 | Ducks vs Golden Knights | Golden Knights 6-2 |
| 07 May 2026 | Golden Knights vs Ducks | Ducks 3-1 |
| 05 May 2026 | Golden Knights vs Ducks | Golden Knights 3-1 |
Team Form
| Team | Last 5 Games | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | W-L-W-W-L | Strong |
| Vegas Golden Knights | L-W-L-W-W | Good |
Anaheim have shown more consistency defensively over the last few games.
Also see: Where to Watch Golden Knights vs Ducks Game 5 Live
Anaheim Ducks Team Preview
Anaheim continue to surprise people during this playoff run. After eliminating Edmonton, they are now pushing Vegas into another difficult battle. The Ducks have outshot Vegas in every game of this series and have played with excellent energy through their young core.
Game 4 was probably Anaheim’s most complete performance of the postseason. The power play finally clicked after struggling earlier in the series, and the Ducks were able to create pressure through quick zone entries and aggressive net-front play. Beckett Sennecke once again delivered offensively, while Cutter Gauthier and Alex Killorn played major roles in transition attacks.
Mason McTavish’s return also improved the Ducks’ power play structure. His presence added another shooting option and helped Anaheim create more movement in the offensive zone.
The Ducks still have defensive concerns because of injuries on the blue line, but their attacking speed continues to create problems for Vegas.
Vegas Golden Knights Team Preview
Vegas remain dangerous offensively, but the absence of captain Mark Stone has changed the rhythm of their attack. The Golden Knights still generate chances through Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Brett Howden, but they looked less organized during stretches of Game 4.
Mitch Marner has been outstanding throughout the playoffs and continues to lead Vegas offensively. He already has 16 playoff points and has consistently created chances on the power play and in transition. Jack Eichel has also continued to produce assists at a high level.
The Golden Knights are still scoring goals consistently, but their defensive structure has started to show cracks against Anaheim’s speed. The Ducks have controlled large stretches at 5-on-5 and continue to pressure Vegas through aggressive forechecking.
Returning home could help Vegas regain momentum because they usually start aggressively at T-Mobile Arena.
Head-to-Head Statistics
| Category | Ducks | Golden Knights |
|---|---|---|
| Goals in Series | 10 | 13 |
| Shots in Series | 118 | 91 |
| Power Play Trend | Improving | Consistent |
| Last 5 Meetings | 3 Wins | 2 Wins |
The Ducks have surprisingly controlled the shot battle throughout the series.
Key Players to Watch
Anaheim Ducks
| Player | Playoff Stats/Form |
|---|---|
| Cutter Gauthier | 10 playoff points |
| Beckett Sennecke | Goals in 3 straight games |
| Troy Terry | 10 playoff points |
| Alex Killorn | Strong Game 4 performance |
Vegas Golden Knights
| Player | Playoff Stats/Form |
|---|---|
| Mitch Marner | 16 playoff points |
| Jack Eichel | 13 playoff points |
| Brett Howden | 7 playoff goals |
| Tomas Hertl | Important second-line scorer |
Goaltending Matchup
| Team | Goalkeeper | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | Lukas Dostal | 3.42 GAA, .874 SV% |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Carter Hart | 2.55 GAA, .908 SV% |
Carter Hart has been more reliable overall, but Anaheim are creating heavy traffic around the crease.
Injury Report
| Team | Injury Update |
|---|---|
| Ducks | Radko Gudas out, Drew Helleson unavailable |
| Golden Knights | Mark Stone ruled out, Jeremy Lauzon out |
The absence of Mark Stone remains one of the biggest storylines entering Game 5.
Projected Lineups
| Anaheim Ducks | Vegas Golden Knights |
|---|---|
| Gauthier – Carlsson – Terry | Dorofeyev – Eichel – Barbashev |
| Killorn – McTavish – Sennecke | Saad – Hertl – Kolesar |
| Granlund – Lundestrom – Moore | Marner – Howden – Marchessault |
| Johnston – Strome – Vatrano | Roy – Karlsson – Smith |
| LaCombe – Mintyukov | Theodore – Pietrangelo |
| Zellweger – Fowler | McNabb – Whitecloud |
| Dumoulin – Moore | Hague – Martinez |
| Dostal | Hart |
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ducks Moneyline | +125 |
| Golden Knights Moneyline | -153 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 |
| Ducks +1.5 | -191 |
| Golden Knights -1.5 | +157 |
Vegas are favorites at home, but the series has been much closer than the odds suggest.
Best Betting Picks
| Bet Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Main Pick | Over 5.5 Goals |
| Value Pick | Ducks Moneyline |
| Prop Bet | Mitch Marner Over 0.5 Assists |
| Safe Pick | Vegas Team Total Over 2.5 |
This series continues to trend toward high-scoring hockey.
Where to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Channel | ESPN |
| Venue | T-Mobile Arena |
| Start Time | 9:30 PM ET |
Final Prediction
Game 5 feels like the turning point of this series. Vegas return home after losing a tough Game 4, while Anaheim arrive with growing confidence and momentum. The Ducks have looked faster and more dangerous in transition during several stretches of this matchup, and their young stars continue to improve with every game.
Vegas still hold the advantage in experience and overall playoff depth, but Mark Stone’s injury has clearly impacted the team. Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel are carrying much of the offensive responsibility, while Anaheim are getting scoring support from multiple lines.
The Ducks have also shown they are not afraid of road environments. Their aggressive forecheck and speed through the neutral zone have consistently forced Vegas into mistakes.
Another open and emotional game is expected because both teams are generating quality scoring chances at a high rate. Goals should come from both sides again.
Predicted Score: Vegas Golden Knights 4 – 3 Anaheim Ducks
Best Pick: Over 5.5 Goals
Value Pick: Ducks Moneyline (+125)
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