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Anaheim (2-2) at Vegas (2-2)
- When: May 12 2026, 9:30 PM
- Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- TV: ESPN
Anaheim vs Vegas NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Vegas -168
Spread: Vegas -1.5 (+155)
Total: 6.0
Vegas: Desert Knights Feeling Dangerous
The Golden Knights sitting as -168 favorites and puck line -1.5 (+155) lost Game 4 by a 4-3 score, and somehow the mood in Vegas still feels calmer than a guy counting blackjack chips after splitting aces successfully.
Why? Because this team has seen every possible playoff disaster already and usually responds by ruining somebody else’s evening immediately afterward.
Vegas Golden Knights are back home with the series tied 2-2, which basically activates their annual “experienced playoff robot mode.” This franchise owns a 5-2 record in Game 5 situations when series are tied, and historically, once Vegas grabs Game 5, the other team starts browsing Cancun resort prices shortly afterward.
Brett Howden continues turning into the most random playoff hero imaginable with a team-leading seven postseason goals. Every year there’s one guy hockey fans barely discuss until suddenly he’s scoring massive playoff goals like he’s prime Wayne Gretzky wearing a fake mustache.
Then there’s Tomas Hertl finally ending his 29-game goal drought. Twenty-nine games. That drought lasted longer than some celebrity marriages. Vegas hopes the empty-net goal gets Hertl rolling because playoff hockey loves weird momentum swings almost as much as sportsbooks love nervous bettors.
Coach John Tortorella still wants more from his group defensively after Vegas committed 14 giveaways Sunday. That’s not playoff hockey. That’s basically an early Christmas gift exchange.
Still, Vegas at home remains a terrifying problem for opponents, especially when the crowd starts acting like every hit deserves its own Netflix documentary.
Anaheim Ducks: Suddenly Quacking With Confidence
The Ducks finally remembered this series isn’t supposed to be a sightseeing tour through Nevada.
Anaheim Ducks punched back hard in Game 4 behind a massive performance from Cutter Gauthier, who collected three assists after being invisible offensively through the first three games.
Apparently somebody told him playoff points are important.
Anaheim also rediscovered its power play after an ugly 0-for-11 stretch against Vegas. Beckett Sennecke and Alex Killorn both scored with the man advantage, which immediately changed the tone of the series.
The Ducks also played far more physical hockey Sunday, finishing with a 34-27 edge in hits. Translation: Anaheim finally stopped politely asking Vegas players to move away from the puck.
Troy Terry admitted the team finally looked desperate with its back against the wall, and honestly, playoff desperation usually helps. Nobody skates harder than athletes realizing elimination is nearby and summer golf reservations are approaching rapidly.
Still, Anaheim now faces the difficult part: winning in Vegas where the Golden Knights suddenly transform into caffeinated supervillains.
Betting Prediction
Anaheim deserves credit for punching back in Game 4, but Vegas returning home feels like a different animal entirely.
The Golden Knights still own the deeper playoff experience, the stronger offensive balance, and now potentially a reawakened Tomas Hertl. That’s dangerous news for a Ducks team still trying to prove it can consistently handle pressure in hostile environments.
Expect another physical game with plenty of scrums, chirping, and at least one fan yelling at the referees like they personally ruined his mortgage payment.
Score Prediction: Golden Knights 4, Ducks 2
Pick: Vegas -1.5 (+155)
Total: Under 6.5 Alt Lines (-135)
- NHL Playoffs Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
