Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in key head-to-head matchups. Today, we preview the New York Rangers vs. Anaheim Ducks. Check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
New York Rangers vs Anaheim Ducks
Head to Head: Rangers 1 – 0 Ducks
Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: SN; TVAS; Victory+; MSG 2; KCOP-13; ESPN+
The New York Rangers (34-32-6) travel across the country to Southern California to face the Anaheim Ducks (31-32-8) at the Honda Center on March 28th. This marks the second and final meeting between these teams this season, with the Rangers narrowly winning the first matchup 2-1 on October 26, 2024, at Madison Square Garden. These teams are battling for different things as the season winds down, with the Rangers aiming to keep their playoff hopes alive and the Ducks looking to generate positivity going into the offseason.
Anaheim Ducks Building on Recent Success
The Ducks have shown signs of life recently, boasting a 2-1-1 record in their past four games. Their most recent outing was a convincing 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins, highlighted by Leo Carlsson‘s two-goal performance, including a fantastic shorthanded goal assisted by a deft pass from Alex Killorn.
LEO CARLSSON SHORTHANDED GOAL!! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/t6BRaEinf2
— Late Arrivals (@LateArrivalsPod) March 27, 2025
However, their record over the last 10 games paints a more complete picture. The Ducks are 4-5-1, which is a fitting record given how their season has gone. The Ducks will miss the playoffs for the seventh season in a row, but there are reasons for optimism.
Offensively, Carlsson has been a standout, recording multiple multi-goal games in recent outings. His chemistry with fellow young talents like Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, and Cutter Gauthier has provided a glimpse into a promising future for Anaheim. Defensively, the Ducks have tightened up, allowing fewer goals and showing improved structure compared to earlier in the season and in seasons past.
In goal, Lukas Dostal is expected to start. Despite not playing up to his unbelievable start to the season, Dostal has demonstrated resilience and will aim to build on recent performances to stifle the Rangers’ offence. His goals-against average has crept up to a 2.99 and his save percentage is a still impressive .907.
New York Rangers Struggling for Consistency
The Rangers have faced challenges lately, with a 3-6-1 record in their last 10 game. Their most recent game was a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, highlighting ongoing struggles to generate consistent offence and maintain a defensive structure that made them the Presidents’ trophy winners last season.
Head coach Peter Laviolette has tried to spark the offence by making changes to the power play units. Despite these adjustments, the Rangers have continued to struggle against playoff-bound teams, with a below .500 record against those teams in their last 10 games. Artemi Panarin is leading the way on offence, but has only two goals and four points in his previous five games. They’ll need more from him and everyone if they are going to make the playoffs. MoneyPuck currently has them at around 20% to make the playoffs.
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin remains a key figure, often keeping the team competitive with his standout performances. He will likely start this must-win game. Shestirkin is posting a 2.80 goals against average and .908 save percentage. However, the Rangers will need a collective effort to overcome their recent slump and secure a vital win against the Ducks.
Prediction
Anaheim enters the game with momentum from their recent victory over Boston, while the Rangers are searching for answers to snap their skid. Expect the Ducks to capitalize on their home-ice advantage and the confidence gained from recent performances. Leo Carlsson continues his hot streak with an early goal, and the Ducks’ defense holds firm against a struggling Rangers offence. Despite a late push from New York, Anaheim secures a hard-fought victory.
Prediction: Ducks win 3 – 2
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out our NHL Predictions for the New York Rangers vs. Anaheim Ducks with some of our preferred prop bets of the night. Consider Leo Carlsson anytime goal at +300, given his recent scoring form. Also, look at the under 5.5 total goals at +112, anticipating a tight, low-scoring game. Season record: (15-29)
Main Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images
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