Venue: Honda Center — Anaheim, California
Puck Drop: 7:30 PM PT / 10:30 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN / Bally Sports West / AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain
The Western Conference Semifinals shift to Southern California with the series tied 1–1 after two tight, physical games in Las Vegas. The Ducks stunned Vegas in Game 1 with a disciplined defensive effort and opportunistic scoring, but the Golden Knights responded in Game 2 with a more structured, veteran‑driven performance. Game 3 becomes the pivotal swing game — historically, teams who win Game 3 of a 1–1 series go on to win the series 73% of the time.
VENUE — HONDA CENTER
Location: Anaheim, CA
Capacity: ~17,200
Ice conditions: Medium‑fast sheet, favors transition teams
Ducks home record (regular season): 22–17–2
Golden Knights road record (regular season): 20–18–3
Anaheim’s home crowd has been energized by the Ducks’ surprising playoff run, and the building has been louder than at any point in the last decade.
INJURY REPORT
Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Eichel — Probable (upper body)
Mark Stone — Day‑to‑day (back tightness)
Alex Pietrangelo — Probable (maintenance)
William Karlsson — OUT (lower body)
Logan Thompson — Probable (illness)
Anaheim Ducks
Leo Carlsson — Day‑to‑day (lower body)
Troy Terry — Probable (illness)
Pavel Mintyukov — OUT (shoulder)
John Gibson — OUT (groin)
Lukas Dostal — Expected starter
Impact:
Vegas’ forward depth is stretched without Karlsson, but Eichel and Stone are expected to play.
Anaheim’s defense is thin without Mintyukov, but Dostal has been outstanding in net.
Carlsson’s availability is crucial for Anaheim’s top‑six scoring.
RECENT TEAM FORM
Vegas Golden Knights
Last 10 overall: 6–4
Goals For (last 10): 3.4
Goals Against (last 10): 2.9
Vegas tightened defensive structure in Game 2 and controlled the neutral zone.
Anaheim Ducks
Last 10 overall: 7–3
Goals For (last 10): 3.1
Goals Against (last 10): 2.8
Ducks have been opportunistic, fast, and strong in transition.
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
Jack Eichel (VGK) vs. Mason McTavish (ANA)
Eichel has been Vegas’ best forward through two games
McTavish’s two‑way game has elevated Anaheim’s top line Edge: Vegas (slight)
Mark Stone (VGK) vs. Troy Terry (ANA)
Stone’s defensive instincts vs. Terry’s speed and creativity
Terry scored in Game 1 and generated multiple high‑danger looks Edge: Even
Shea Theodore (VGK) vs. Cam Fowler (ANA)
Theodore drives Vegas’ breakout and PP
Fowler has logged heavy minutes with Mintyukov out Edge: Vegas
Goaltending: Logan Thompson (VGK) vs. Lukas Dostal (ANA)
Thompson: .915 SV% in playoffs
Dostal: .927 SV% and the biggest reason Anaheim stole Game 1 Edge: Anaheim (slight)
SERIES HISTORY
Series tied 1–1
Vegas won season series 3–1
Golden Knights have won 7 of last 10 vs. Anaheim
Ducks have not won a playoff series vs. Vegas in franchise history
BETTING TRENDS
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is 5–2 in last 7 road games
Under is 6–3 in last 9 Vegas playoff games
Golden Knights are 4–1 in last 5 vs. Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
Ducks are 6–2 in last 8 home games
Over is 5–2 in last 7 Ducks games
Anaheim is 5–1 in last 6 as a home underdog
Head‑to‑Head
Road team is 3–2 in last 5
Average combined score in series: 5.8 goals
First‑period Under is 4–1 in last 5 meetings
Game Odds
Vegas Golden Knights – 112
Anaheim Ducks 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, May 7, 2026
