The Anaheim Ducks (19-12-1), holding down second in the Pacific Division with a balanced attack led by rookie sensation Leo Carlsson, invade Madison Square Garden for a cross-country clash against the New York Rangers (16-13-4) on Monday night. The Rangers, seventh in the Metropolitan and reeling from defensive injuries, aim to leverage home-ice energy and Artemi Panarin’s wizardry to snap a mini-slump, while the Ducks look to build on a three-game road win streak before this back-to-back spot. Without Adam Fox anchoring the blue line, New York’s penalty kill (79.2%, 25th) faces Anaheim’s opportunistic power play (22.1%, 8th). Expect a high-event tilt with Eastern physicality meeting Western speed, potentially decided by goaltending in a venue where the Rangers are 4-8-3 at home. Faceoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET, broadcast on ESPN+, MSG, and Victory+.
Venue Location
Madison Square Garden
4 Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10001
The Rangers’ iconic fortress since 1968 (renovated 2013), this 18,006-seat mecca of sports is a playoff-like atmosphere for rivalry-lite matchups, where New York thrives on crowd noise but has struggled lately (4-8-3 home record). The Garden’s tight confines favor forecheckers, with opponents averaging 28.4 shots against here.
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: ESPN+ (national streaming), MSG (Rangers local), Victory+ (Ducks local)
Injury Report
Injuries tilt the scales toward Anaheim’s depth, with the Rangers missing key defenseman Adam Fox and forward Adam Edstrom. Ducks enter relatively healthy, with goalie Lukas Dostal activated off IR. Official NHL report (as of 4 p.m. ET):
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Reason | Estimated Return |
| Ducks | Lukas Dostal | Available | Upper Body (IR, activated) | N/A |
| No other major | – | – | – | |
| Rangers | Adam Fox | Out | Upper Body | Dec 27 |
| Adam Edstrom | Out | Lower Body | Dec 27 | |
| Matt Rempe | Day-to-Day | Upper Body | Dec 18 |
Fox’s absence (26 points in 27 GP) cripples New York’s transition, forcing overreliance on Jacob Trouba. Rempe’s potential return adds grit, but Anaheim’s forward corps—bolstered by Cutter Gauthier’s emergence—gains an edge.
Key Player Matchups
Anaheim’s youth movement clashes with New York’s veteran core, but Fox’s out status exposes the Rangers’ back end to Carlsson’s sniping. Special teams could swing it: Ducks 22.1% PP vs. Rangers 79.2% PK.
Leo Carlsson (ANA C) vs. Mika Zibanejad (NYR C)
Carlsson (17G, 23A; 40P, +11) is Anaheim’s engine, winning 45.4% faceoffs and thriving on the rush (20.7% S%). Zibanejad (11G, 14A; 25P, 52.2% FO) counters with power-play dominance (6 PPG). Edge: Carlsson—his 3 GWG exploit tired D; Zibanejad’s -7 rating flags vulnerabilities.
Artemi Panarin (NYR LW) vs. Troy Terry (ANA RW)
Panarin (11G, 22A; 33P) dazzles with 92 SOG (12.0% S%), facing Terry (10G, 24A; 34P, 66.7% FO win on PK). Edge: Panarin—his 20:41 TOI/G and 8 PPA make him matchup-proof, but Terry’s penalty-killing could force neutral-zone turnovers.
Cutter Gauthier (ANA LW) vs. Chris Kreider (NYR LW)
Gauthier (16G, 18A; 34P, +15) bullies nets with 121 SOG (13.2% S%), matched against Kreider (13G in 28 GP pre-injury context, but active: high-volume shooter). Edge: Gauthier—his +15 and 3 PPG overwhelm Rangers’ depleted third pair.
Lukas Dostal (ANA G) vs. Igor Shesterkin (NYR G)
Dostal (recent activation, strong rebound control) vs. Shesterkin (elite .920 SV% projected). Edge: Shesterkin—his 2.45 GAA shines at home, but Ducks’ shot volume (31.2 SOG/GP) tests volume.
Bonus Prop Watch: Carlsson Over 0.5 Points (-115) and Panarin Over 1.5 Points (-120) clear in 70% of December games.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away | Division | Conference | Streak |
| Ducks | 19-12-1 | 11-4-0 Home / 8-8-1 Away | 2nd Pacific | 4th West | L1 |
| Rangers | 16-13-4 | 4-8-3 Home / 12-5-1 Away | 7th Metro | 10th East | W1 |
Anaheim leads the West in goals (3.28 GF/GP, 4th), but ranks 22nd in GA (3.12). Rangers are middling offensively (2.94 GF/GP, 18th) and defensively (3.18 GA/GP, 20th) without Fox.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams are streaky, with Anaheim’s wins high-scoring and New York’s reliant on Shesterkin heroics. Ducks average 4.2 GF in victories; Rangers 2.8 GA in losses.
Anaheim Ducks Last 5 Games (3-2-0):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Dec 13 | @ NJD | L 1-4 | Terry: 1G; 28 SOG, Dostal: 32 SV |
| Dec 9 | @ PIT | W 4-3 SO | Carlsson: 1G, 2A; 3/4 PP |
| Dec 7 | vs. CHI | W 7-1 | Gauthier: 2G; 53 SOG team-high |
| Dec 5 | vs. WSH | W 4-3 SO | Terry: GWG; Shootout win |
| Dec 3 | vs. UTA | L 0-7 | Shutout loss; 27 SOG |
New York Rangers Last 5 Games (3-2-0):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Dec 14 | vs. MTL | W 5-4 OT | Miller: 2G (incl. GWG); 28 SOG |
| Dec 10 | @ CHI | L 0-3 | Shesterkin: 29 SV; Shutout |
| Dec 6 | vs. COL | L 2-3 OT | Panarin: 1G, 1A; 32 SOG |
| Dec 5 | vs. OTT | W 4-2 | Zibanejad: 1G, 1A; 4 goals |
| Dec 3 | vs. DAL | W 3-2 OT | Panarin: GWG; Defensive stand |
Averages: Ducks 4.0 GF/GP (last five), Rangers 3.2 GA/GP at home.
Series History
All-time, the Rangers hold a 25-21-1 edge over Anaheim (54.3% win rate), including a 16-7-1 home record. No playoff meetings, but New York has won 6 of the last 10 regular-season tilts since 2020, often in low-scoring affairs (avg. 5.8 total goals).This season: First meeting
Recent: Mar 28, 2025: Ducks 5-4 OT @ Rangers (Carlsson: 2A)
Oct 26, 2024: Ducks 3-2 (Terry: GWG) Rangers are 4-1 SU in last 5 home vs. Ducks; Under in 7 of 10 H2H.
Betting Trends
Key Trends:
Ducks: 11-15-4 ATS overall; 5-9 ATS away; Over in 18/32 (56%); 4-6 SU last 10 road.
Rangers: 14-16-4 ATS; 4-8-3 SU home; Under in 7/10 home (avg. 5.9 goals); 6-4 SU vs. West teams.
Head-to-Head: Rangers 6-4 SU last 10; Under in 7/10; Ducks 2-3 ATS in NY since 2023.
Game Odds
Anaheim Ducks 6.5
New York Rangers – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, December 14, 2025
