Ducks vs Golden Knights Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Playoffs Game 1
Parker’s prediction: Carter Hart turns away flock of shots from Ducks in Game 1
The Anaheim Ducks upset the back-to-back Western Conference champions in Round 1, and they’ll look to start Round 2 off in style with a win over the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Monday, May 4. My top Ducks vs. Golden Knights predictions and NHL picks expect Anaheim to keep Vegas starter Carter Hart busy tonight.
Who will win Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 1?
Ducks: There’s serious momentum for the Ducks, and Anaheim has scoring depth Vegas can’t match. I’m steering clear of backing either team in a moneyline bet until I see how they match up against one another, and while I usually don’t put much stock into regular-season results ahead of a postseason series, the Ducks did win all three meetings this year.
Ducks vs Golden Knights best bet: Carter Hart Over 24.5 saves (-105)
The Anaheim Ducks finished Round 1 with the most shots and third most attempts per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, and I’m expecting them to be firing away again in Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights. While it was a so-so first round from Golden Knights No. 1 Carter Hart overall, he posted a .910 SV% and 1.35 goals saved above expected (GSAx) on home ice and also stopped 22 of 23 shots with a 1.65 GSAx in the series clincher Friday. Let’s not forget, Hart capped off the regular season with six straight wins with a .930 SV%, and Anaheim also ranked third in shots per game (30.8).
Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 1 same-game parlay:
-Ducks vs Golden Knights SGPMitch Marner Over 0.5 points
-Mark Stone Over 0.5 points
-Carter Hart Over 24.5 saves
The Golden Knights duo of Mitch Marner and Mark Stone clicked for an impressive 69.3 Corsi For percentage and 74.3 expected goals percentage at 5-on-5 in the opening round, and they also both jumped the boards with the No. 1 power-play unit. Marner and Stone both hit the scoresheet in five of six games during Round 1, and after allowing the fourth-most goals per game (3.51) during the regular season, the Ducks allowed 3.5 per night in Round 1.
Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 1 goal scorer pick:
-Jack Eichel (+175)
Vegas star Jack Eichel was held to a single goal during Round 1 despite racking up a healthy 18 shots, 2.09 expected goals and nine high-danger scoring chances. The Ducks allowed a healthy 3.5 goals per game during the opening round, and Eichel is cemented into a go-to offensive role.
