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T-mobile Arena
Vegas Golden Knights won
The Vegas Golden Knights face a critical Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance after losing captain Mark Stone to injury. Stone's absence in Game 4 was immediately felt as Vegas struggled offensively in a 4-3 loss that allowed Anaheim to even the series at 2-2.
Stone's impact extends far beyond his scoring statistics, as he serves as the team's primary playmaker and emotional leader. Without their captain anchoring the top line, Vegas has struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure, particularly on the power play where Stone's vision and puck distribution are irreplaceable.
Anaheim enters this pivotal matchup with renewed confidence after their Game 4 victory demonstrated they can compete with Vegas even on home ice. The Ducks have effectively neutralized Vegas's depth scoring while capitalizing on the Golden Knights' defensive lapses created by their altered forward lines.
The betting market reflects this shift in momentum, with Anaheim emerging as slight favorites despite playing on the road. Vegas's home ice advantage becomes less significant when their offensive structure is compromised by Stone's absence. The Ducks' ability to play spoiler in hostile territory, combined with their recent success exploiting Vegas's weakened attack, positions them well to take a commanding 3-2 series lead. This matchup favors the team with better current lineup health and tactical cohesion.
2026 Season
Last 10 head-to-head matchups
The recent head-to-head series has been tightly contested, with Vegas winning two of the last three meetings. The Golden Knights...
The recent head-to-head series has been tightly contested, with Vegas winning two of the last three meetings. The Golden Knights dominated their most recent encounter with a 6-2 road victory on May 9th, but Anaheim responded with a 3-1 win at T-Mobile Arena on May 7th. Vegas also took the May 5th home meeting 3-1. Over their last six encounters dating back to early 2024, the series is split 3-3, with the home team winning four of those six games. The recent meetings have averaged 6.3 goals per game, indicating both teams' offensive capabilities and defensive inconsistencies in this matchup.
Last 15 matches across all competitionsNHL matches highlighted
15 of 15 in NHL
Form Rating
7.3/10
Vegas enters with a solid 49% win rate over 98 games this season, though their...
Vegas enters with a solid 49% win rate over 98 games this season, though their recent form shows some inconsistency. The Golden Knights have won four of their last six games, including impressive victories over Utah and Seattle. At T-Mobile Arena, they've been particularly effective, posting a 25-25 home record while averaging 3.36 goals scored and 3.0 goals conceded per game. Their home scoring rate is notably higher than their road output, suggesting they benefit significantly from familiar surroundings. With four days of rest and no back-to-back concerns, Vegas should be physically prepared for this crucial matchup. Their 95 points place them in playoff position, making this game important for maintaining their postseason hopes.
15 of 15 in NHL
Form Rating
4.7/10
Anaheim brings a stronger overall record with a 53.1% win rate across 98 games, demonstrating...
Anaheim brings a stronger overall record with a 53.1% win rate across 98 games, demonstrating superior consistency throughout the season. However, their road form tells a different story, managing just 23-27 away from home while averaging 3.14 goals scored and 3.48 goals conceded per game. The Ducks have struggled defensively on the road, which could be problematic in Vegas's offensive-friendly environment. Recent form shows mixed results, with the team alternating between strong offensive performances and defensive lapses. Like Vegas, they benefit from four days of rest, eliminating any fatigue concerns. At 92 points, they're also fighting for playoff positioning, adding extra motivation to this Western Conference battle.
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Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks - Match Analysis
The Ducks are favored primarily due to Mark Stone's confirmed absence for Vegas. Stone is the Golden Knights' captain and top scorer, and his injury significantly weakens their offensive capabilities. Additionally, Anaheim has momentum from their Game 4 victory that tied the series 2-2, showing they can compete effectively even without their own captain Gudas.
Vegas faces a major challenge without Mark Stone, their offensive leader and captain. His absence was evident in Game 4 where they lost 4-3 to Anaheim. While they have home ice advantage, losing your top scorer creates significant offensive gaps that are difficult to fill, especially against a Ducks team that's gained confidence from evening the series.
With Stone out, consider betting on Anaheim at +125 or better, as bookmaker odds may not fully reflect this key absence. The under on total goals could also offer value since Vegas's offensive production will likely decrease. Additionally, Anaheim to win in regulation provides better odds than their overall victory line.
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