NHL Predictions Canucks Edition Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Anaheim Ducks. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions: Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks

2025-2026 Season Series: Anaheim 0-1 Vancouver

Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 7:00 p.m. Pacific

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SNP, KCOP-13, Victory+, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Canucks and Ducks do battle in a Pacific Division matchup. This is the seventh game of Vancouver’s eight-game homestand, while Anaheim wraps up their Western road trip. Anaheim sits at 28-22-3 after 53 games, with 59 points, while Vancouver sits at 17-31-5 after 53 games, with 39 points. This is the second of four meetings between these two teams. The Canucks won the first game, 5-4, on November 26th.

The Ducks Story

Anaheim had their seven-game winning streak snapped on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers, and look to start a new one tonight. They have been a fun, young team to watch throughout this season, similar to their California rivals, the San Jose Sharks. They are a prime example of a team that rebuilt the right way. Vancouver could learn a lesson from them. They currently sit in third place in the Pacific Division, but need to watch their back with other Pacific teams breathing down their back.

Much like the Canucks, the Ducks are also dealing with injuries to key players, including top scorers in Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry, as well as goaltender Petr Mrazek.

The Canucks Story and Scenes From Wednesday’s Practice

Vancouver is fresh off yet another loss on their homestand, dropping their record to 1-5-0 so far. Although, for many fans, losing is not at the front of their minds. Rather, the trades are. We are expecting an Evander Kane trade to hit sometime soon, and all veteran players should be on the trade table. As the roster freeze before the Olympic break is less than a week away, a trade could be imminent. You just hope that all potential assets stay as healthy as possible. At the same time, the team has to showcase those players, so it is a tough balance.

During practice on Wednesday morning, Tyler Myers, Filip Hronek, Conor Garland, Nils Höglander, and Filip Chytil were absent. Canucks head coach Adam Foote said in his press conference that Höglander will be evaluated for a lower-body injury, while other absences were due to maintenance or illness.

Starting Goalies

Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.

The Ducks will likely start Lukas Dostal in net. In 35 games this season, he has a record of 19-12-2, a 3.00 goals-against average, and an .895 save percentage. He has won in each of previous six starts.

For Vancouver, we expect Nikita Tolopilo to get the start. He came in relief last game, after Kevin Lankinen was pulled after allowing three goals on six shots early in the first. In seven games this season, he has a record of 2-3-0, a 3.72 goals-against average, and an .887 save percentage.

Prediction and Best Bets

The Ducks and Canucks allow the most goals in the league, sitting at 31st and 32nd in goals against, respectively. The Ducks offence, however, is much stronger than the Canucks. While this will be a sloppy game defensively in all likelihood, expect the Ducks to come out victorious.

Prediction: Ducks win 5-3.

Best Bets

To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For the Ducks, we will pick leading scorer Cutter Gauthier to pot a goal. On the Canucks side, we will pick Linus Karlsson to score one.

Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.