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Golden Knights vs Ducks Game 3 Prediction, Same-Game Parlay & Odds

Michael Harrison

By Michael Harrison in NHL Hockey

Published:


Dec 20, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) looks on during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
  • The Golden Knights and Ducks do battle in a pivotal Game 3 of their Western Conference second round matchup
  • I dive deep into the best bets to make, plus player props and a same-game parlay
  • Keep reading for my Golden Knights vs Ducks preview and betting odds for Friday’s skirmish

The Anaheim Ducks host the Vegas Golden Knights at the Honda Center Friday night at 6:30 PM PT / 9:30 PM ET. After the Knights won Game 1 3-1, the Ducks returned the favor with the exact same score in Game 2. The NHL odds paint a picture of Vegas as the road favorites, despite losing both regular season meetings on the Duck Pond.

Keep reading for my analysis on this crucial Game 3, along with a player prop bet to wager on and a same-game parlay. In the Stanley Cup odds, Vegas is among the top choices at +700, with Anaheim lagging behind with a +2500 number.

Golden Knights vs Ducks Picks & Predictions

Best Bet: Golden Knights Moneyline (-112 at DraftKings)

While the Ducks have the home ice advantage, the Golden Knights have been reliable when laying the juice, going 4-1 as favorites over their last five contests. Furthermore, the Golden Knights are 5-1 on the road against opponents with a winning record over their last six games.

On the flip side, the Ducks have struggled to string together momentum, posting a cold 2-5 straight-up record after a win over their last seven games. Given the championship pedigree of the Golden Knights and the Ducks’ recent inability to follow up victories, backing the road squad on the moneyline at consensus odds of -112 provides solid value.

Player Prop Best Bets and Same-Game Parlay

  • Leo Carlsson Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+116 at Caesars)
  • Same-Game Parlay – Carlsson Over 3.5 shots & Golden Knights ML (+270 on DraftKings)

The Ducks’ dynamic young forward has been generating heavy offensive volume, especially when his squad comes off a victory. Leo Carlsson has eclipsed his 3.5 shots on goal prop in five straight games after a win. He has maintained a strong shooting pace in this series as well, logging four shots each time.

In fact, in the postseason, he’s racked up at least four shots in seven of eight contests. Getting plus-money odds (+116) on a situational trend with a 100% recent hit rate makes Carlsson a fantastic value to continue firing tonight. If you want to parlay that with the Golden Knights winning on the ML, that’s a +270 ticket.

Golden Knights vs Ducks Public Betting Splits

  • Moneyline: In the NHL public betting trends, the Ducks are commanding the bulk of the straight-up action, drawing 66% of the moneyline betting handle
  • Puck Line: Bettors are trusting the Golden Knights ATS, with the road squad accounting for 74% of the total puck line stake
  • Total: The public is heavily anticipating a low-scoring playoff battle, as a massive 72% of the money is currently backing the Under

Golden Knights vs Ducks Game Information

TV Network: TNT, truTV, HBO Max (USA), Sportsnet (Canada)

Away Team: Vegas Golden Knights

Home Team: Anaheim Ducks

Date: May 8, 2026

Location: Honda Center

City: Anaheim, California

Golden Knights vs Ducks Playoffs Team Stats Comparison

Statistic (Per Game Average)Golden KnightsDucks
Goals For3.383.75
Goals Against2.633.00
Shots For28.5032.00
Shots Against28.3826.63
Power Play %19.2%32.0%
Penalty Kill %96.0%75.0%
Faceoff Win %53.6%47.1%
Hits38.2535.75
Blocked Shots17.2512.88
Team Save %.908.883

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Starting Goalies Matchup: Hart vs Dostal

StatisticCarter Hart [VGK]Lukas Dostal [ANA]
Games Played88
Record (W-L-OTL)5-3-05-3-0
Save Percentage (SV%).908.886
Goals Against Average (GAA)2.443.22
Shutouts00
Total Saves207179
Goals Against2123

Since taking over the crease, Carter Hart has provided the exact type of steady, calming presence a defensive-minded squad requires in the postseason. Hart has been the statistically superior goaltender in this matchup, with a respectable .908 save percentage and a 2.44 goals-against average.

In the other crease, Lukas Dostal holds a 3.22 GAA and a sub-.900 save percentage (.886) over his eight playoff starts.

Projected Lineups & Defensive Pairings

Golden Knights Projected Lineup

UnitLeftCenter / ExtraRight
First LineIvan BarbashevJack EichelPavel Dorofeyev
Second LineBrett HowdenMitch MarnerMark Stone
Third LineTomas HertlWilliam KarlssonKeegan Kolesar
Fourth LineCole SmithNic DowdColton Sissons
First PairBrayden McNabb Shea Theodore
Second PairNoah Hanifin Rasmus Andersson
Third PairBen Hutton Kaedan Korczak
GoaltendersCarter Hart (Starter) Adin Hill (Backup)

Ducks Projected Lineup

UnitLeftCenter / ExtraRight
First LineChris KreiderLeo CarlssonTroy Terry
Second LineAlex KillornMikael GranlundBeckett Sennecke
Third LineMason McTavishRyan PoehlingCutter Gauthier
Fourth LineJeffrey VielTim WasheIan Moore
First PairJackson LaCombe Jacob Trouba
Second PairPavel Mintyukov John Carlson
Third PairTyson Hinds Drew Helleson
GoaltendersLukas Dostal (Starter) Ville Husso (Backup)

VGK vs ANA Injury Report

  • Radko Gudas (Ducks, Defense): Gudas is currently listed as Day To Day with a lower-body injury
  • Petr Mrazek (Ducks, Goalie): Mrazek remains Out For Season (lower body)
  • Jeremy Lauzon (Golden Knights, Defense): Lauzon has officially been ruled Out for the entirety of this second-round series with an undisclosed injury
Michael Harrison
Michael Harrison

Sports & Entertainment Writer

Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 20 years, is the CEO of his "All Bets Par Off" weekly golf betting videos and his HDOG POD, along with several others.

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