Ducks vs. Golden Knights prediction: Vegas favored to win Game 1 [2026]

The Vegas Golden Knights will take on the Anaheim Ducks in the 2026 NHL Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on Monday, starting at 9:30 PM ET.

Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' proven NHL model projects the Golden Knights as the most likely winner of the Ducks vs. Golden Knights Game 1 matchup.

This article offers further insights into Monday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.

Ducks vs. Golden Knights prediction: Who will win Game 1?

Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Monday's NHL Playoffs matchup between the Ducks and Golden Knights, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.

Our famous predictive model currently gives the Golden Knights a 60% chance of beating the Ducks in Game 1 of the series.

According to our model, the Ducks (+1.5) have a 62% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6.5-goal over/under has a 51% chance of staying under.

Ducks vs. Golden Knights Game 1 odds

We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

Bet Type	Ducks	Golden Knights
Puck Line	+1.5 (-170)	-1.5 (+146)
Moneyline	+145	-172
Total	o6.5 (-112)	u6.5 (-105)

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Ducks vs. Golden Knights picks and best bet for Game 1

After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:

Bet Type	Pick	Bet Now
Puck Line	Ducks +1.5	-170
Moneyline	Ducks	+145
Total	Under 6.5	-105

According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.

These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.

Ducks vs. Golden Knights player props

Who will score a goal in Ducks vs. Golden Knights?

According to our model, Pavel Dorofeyev is most likely to score an anytime goal in Ducks vs. Golden Knights.

Our projections give Dorofeyev a 36.3% chance of scoring a goal at T-Mobile Arena, while the star is a 7.3% chance of netting the first goal the game.

Anytime goal scorer predictions

Anaheim Ducks

Player	Anytime Goal Probability
Cutter Gauthier	31.7%
Leo Carlsson	30.7%
Troy Terry	23.9%
Alex Killorn	22.7%
Mikael Granlund	21.2%

Vegas Golden Knights

Player	Anytime Goal Probability
Pavel Dorofeyev	36.3%
Jack Eichel	35.4%
Mitch Marner	30.5%
Mark Stone	28.4%
Ivan Barbashev	24.7%

First goal scorer predictions

Anaheim Ducks

Player	First Goal Probability
Cutter Gauthier	5.7%
Leo Carlsson	5.3%
Troy Terry	4.6%
Alex Killorn	4.3%
Chris Kreider	3.7%

Vegas Golden Knights

Player	First Goal Probability
Pavel Dorofeyev	7.3%
Jack Eichel	6.9%
Mitch Marner	5.4%
Mark Stone	5.0%
Brett Howden	4.6%

Ducks vs. Golden Knights Game 1 updates and essential details

Monday's Game 1 between the Golden Knights and Ducks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is scheduled to start at 9:30 PM ET.

• Who: Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights
• Date: Monday, May 4, 2026
• Time: 9:30 PM ET/6:30PM PT
• Venue: T-Mobile Arena

The Stanley Cup Playoffs is the NHL's postseason elimination tournament to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup.

Sixteen teams, including the Ducks and Golden Knights, reached the NHL Playoffs 2026, which includes four rounds: the First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.

Each round of the NHL Playoffs is contested as a best-of-seven series, with the first team to four wins moving on to the next round until a champion is crowned.

Conclusion

We predict the Golden Knights, with a 60% win probability, will likely beat the Ducks in Monday's NHL matchup.

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