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The Vegas Golden Knights visit the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Thursday, May 14, 2026, with puck drop set for 9:30 p.m. ET. This is Game 6 of the Western Conference Second Round, and Vegas has a 3-2 series lead after a 3-2 overtime win in Game 5.
Vegas enters with a 39-26-17 record and a 19-14-8 road mark, while Anaheim is 43-33-6 overall and 24-13-4 at home. The Ducks are trying to force a Game 7, and that usually gives this type of home underdog a little extra urgency. Still, the market is not giving much separation here, with Vegas sitting as a small road favorite and Anaheim priced almost evenly on the moneyline.
The game will be shown on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, SN, SN360, and TVAS. The high-level betting setup is simple: Vegas has the closeout spot, Anaheim has home ice and desperation, and the total at 6.5 asks bettors whether Game 5’s tighter feel carries over or if this series swings back toward chances and transition.
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Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks Odds
These are the current betting lines for Game 6, and bettors should always monitor the latest NHL odds before locking in a position.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | -112 | -1.5 (+220) | O 6.5 (+110) |
| Anaheim Ducks | -108 | +1.5 (-270) | U 6.5 (-130) |
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Form
Vegas has not dominated every part of this series, but it keeps finding ways to get the right goal at the right time. Pavel Dorofeyev was the Game 5 difference-maker with two goals, including the overtime winner, and Jack Eichel’s playmaking continues to create the cleanest offensive looks for the Knights. Carter Hart also gave Vegas a strong game in net with 34 saves, which matters because Anaheim pushed hard late and forced the Knights to defend under pressure.
From a betting angle, the closeout price is reasonable but not automatic. The Knights are slightly favored because of their top-end skill, playoff experience, and ability to win both fast and grinding games. Bettors checking Vegas Golden Knights stats and results will notice this team has already won three different styles in the series: a controlled Game 1, a blowout in Game 3, and an overtime grinder in Game 5.
The issue is availability and blue-line depth. Brayden McNabb is out after his one-game suspension, and Mark Stone is still listed day-to-day, so the Vegas Golden Knights injury report needs to be watched closely. If Stone sits again, Vegas loses a major forecheck and defensive-zone detail piece. If McNabb’s absence forces defensive pair changes, Anaheim’s cycle game could be more dangerous than the market is pricing.
Anaheim Ducks Betting Form
Anaheim has been a tough out, and that is not just a motivational angle. The Ducks won Game 2 in Vegas, answered with a Game 4 home win, and nearly stole Game 5 before Dorofeyev ended it in overtime. That tells bettors this is not a team simply hanging around. Anaheim has enough speed, youth, and shot generation to stress Vegas in waves.
The Ducks need another strong game from Lukas Dostal, who is projected but not confirmed. He stopped 29 shots in Game 5, and while the final result went against Anaheim, he gave them a chance to win. Looking at Anaheim Ducks schedule and stats, the home profile matters here. Anaheim has been much stronger at Honda Center, and with the series on the line, that home push should show early.
The injury situation is not ideal. Ryan Poehling is out for Game 6, and Anaheim also has Drew Helleson and Radko Gudas listed as day-to-day. Monitor the Anaheim Ducks injury report before puck drop, because Gudas’ status in particular matters for defensive physicality and net-front battles. Anaheim can still win this game, but losing depth in a playoff elimination spot makes the margin thinner.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks Matchup Breakdown
This matchup comes down to whether Vegas can manage the first 10 minutes. Anaheim should come out fast, especially with home ice and elimination pressure. The Ducks want this game loose enough for Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry, Beckett Sennecke, and Mason McTavish to attack off entries. Vegas would rather slow the middle, win board battles, and make Anaheim work through set defensive layers.
At 5-on-5, Vegas still has the more reliable top-end structure. Eichel drives controlled offense, Dorofeyev is finishing, and Mitch Marner has already shown he can break a game open in this series. But the McNabb suspension changes the defensive picture. Vegas loses size, shot blocking, and a veteran penalty-kill piece, which makes discipline even more important.
Special teams could swing this fast. Anaheim already benefited from the McNabb major in Game 5, and if Vegas takes more penalties, the Ducks’ live underdog case gets stronger. This is where an NHL betting guide can help frame the market, because the side and total are tied together. More penalties probably help the Over and make Anaheim more dangerous.
The goalie matchup is still listed as unconfirmed, but Carter Hart vs Lukas Dostal is the expected setup. Hart was better in Game 5, and Dostal has had some uneven moments in this series. That is the small edge toward Vegas, although I do not think it is big enough to justify chasing the puck line at +220 unless you are specifically betting on an empty-net finish.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Vegas on the moneyline, but I would keep the bet size normal. This is not a smash spot. Anaheim at home, facing elimination, is going to bring pace and pressure. Still, Vegas has the better closeout profile, the better high-end shot creation, and a goalie coming off a strong game.
The McNabb suspension keeps me away from a more aggressive Vegas position. That missing defensive depth can matter, especially if Anaheim forces extended offensive-zone shifts. But even with that concern, the Knights have more ways to win. Eichel can tilt the ice, Dorofeyev is finishing, and if Stone returns or is even close to available, that helps Vegas control the harder minutes.
The total is tricky at 6.5. Game 5 finished 3-2 in overtime, but this series has also had games with six, seven, and eight goals. I lean Under 6.5 because elimination games often tighten after the first period, and both teams know the next mistake could decide the series. The plus-money Over is tempting, sure, but the number feels a little high with goalie saves trending up and Vegas likely wanting a controlled road script.
For the main bet, I would rather back the better team at a short price than ask Anaheim to survive the full pressure of a must-win game. Vegas has been uneven, but it has shown more finishing punch in the biggest moments.
Best Bet: Vegas Golden Knights moneyline (-112).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are building a full playoff card, today’s NHL picks on ScoresAndStats can help compare different betting angles across the board. NHL playoff betting changes fast, especially when goalie confirmations, defensive scratches, and special-teams matchups start moving the market.
ScoresAndStats also gives bettors access to top sports handicappers with transparent long-term records and profit tracking. The handicapper leaderboard makes it easier to compare experts instead of just following one opinion blindly.
For deeper playoff betting context, the Stanley Cup betting guide is useful when pricing series momentum, closeout spots, and futures angles. You can also track more NHL previews or buy premium NHL picks when you want expert plays tied to the full postseason slate.
