Vancouver-canucks vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Predictions March 5th 2025

Vancouver-Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks March 5th 2025

The Ducks and Canucks are set to face off at 10:30 ET on ESPN+. The Canucks will host the game at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC. The over/under for this matchup is currently set at 5.5 goals and the Canucks are the -1.5 favorite to win at home vs. the Ducks.

Anaheim vs. Vancouver Key Information

• Teams: Ducks at Canucks
• Where: Rogers Arena Vancouver
• Date: Wednesday, March 5th
• Betting Odds VAN -237 | ANA +191 O/U 5.5

The Ducks Can Win If…

Anaheim dropped to 27-26-7 after a 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks. The Ducks were favored on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, with the combined 6 falling just short of that mark.

The Ducks fell behind early, allowing two goals in the first period and another in the second. They managed to score twice in the third period, but it wasn’t enough to catch up. Brock McGinn got Anaheim on the board at 10:16 in the third, and Mason McTavish added a goal with just 4 seconds left in the game.

Anaheim took 39 shots on goal but only managed to score twice in their 4-2 loss to Chicago. Brock McGinn netted his second goal of the season, while Mason McTavish added another, also his second, on a power play with just four seconds left in the game.

Ross Johnston picked up his first assist of the season on McGinn’s goal, and Troy Terry and Ryan Strome contributed assists on McTavish’s late power-play goal. Anaheim finished the game with 16 giveaways.

Anaheim’s defense gave up the first three goals in their last game against Chicago, with two of those coming on the power play. The Ducks also conceded another late goal at 17:43 in the 3rd period. Lukas Dostal made 25 saves with a save percentage of 86.2%.

• Anaheim has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. In terms of betting, the team went 2-1 puck line in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 3-0.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Ducks have gone 6-4 straight up. Their record vs the puck line sits at 8-2 in these matchups, while posting a 4-6 over-under mark.

The Canucks Can Win If…

Vancouver improved to 27-22-11 with a 3-2 win over the Sharks. The Canucks were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 5 goals fell short of that mark.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second period, Vancouver tied it up with a goal from Pius Suter. Jake DeBrusk gave the Canucks a 2-1 lead in the third, but the Sharks responded to even the score. Suter then netted his second goal with just 26 seconds left, sealing the victory for Vancouver.

Pius Suter led the way for the Canucks with two goals, bringing his season total to four. He scored at 5:19 in the second period and again at 19:34 in the third. Jake DeBrusk added his first goal of the season, finding the net at 15:38 in the third period.

Vancouver fired 27 shots on goal but gave the puck away 25 times. The Canucks were held scoreless in the first period before Suter’s first goal tied the game 1-1 in the second.

Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage in the Canucks’ 3-2 win over San Jose. Defensively, Vancouver added 5 takeaways and 24 hits. They gave up the first goal at 2:37 of the 2nd period and another at 18:43 in the 3rd.

• Across Vancouver’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Against the spread, Vancouver went 1-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• The Canucks have gone 4-6 over their last ten regular season games. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 4-6 and an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Lean

To those searching for a pure moneyline wager, the Canucks is the clear pick. Still, with a payout of -237, it’s worth thinking about including this bet in a parlay.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Ducks to cover. Even in the event of a Canucks victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Ducks should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Canucks to Host Ducks with Quinn Hughes in Question

The Vancouver Canucks may be without their best player when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night, as Quinn Hughes’ status remains uncertain after leaving Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury.

Hughes’ Status in Doubt

Hughes, Vancouver’s leading scorer and reigning Norris Trophy winner, sustained the injury midway through the third period of a 6-3 loss to the Seattle Kraken.

He was limited in Tuesday’s practice, participating for only 15 minutes before leaving in what head coach Rick Tocchet called a “previously planned departure.”

“He’s a competitor, but sometimes I’ve got to intervene and be the bad guy,” Tocchet said. “The guy wants to play. We’re in a dogfight, and he’s just that type of guy.”

With Hughes listed as day-to-day, Vancouver may place him on injured reserve to allow extra recovery time. Hughes previously missed six games with an undisclosed injury, including the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Canucks in Desperate Need of a Win

Vancouver has lost four of its last five games, falling out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

The latest loss to Seattle was particularly frustrating, as the Canucks held a 3-2 lead midway through the second period before allowing four unanswered goals.

“It was a chance for us to pull a couple more points ahead (in the standings), and we let that one slip away,” Canucks forward Dakota Joshua said. “That’s just been our model lately is blowing leads, and we couldn’t get that one back.”

Adding to their struggles, the Canucks lost 5-2 to the Ducks last Thursday, making Wednesday’s rematch even more critical.

Ducks Riding High After Big Win Over Edmonton

The Ducks enter the game with momentum after a 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night, keeping them within six points of the final wild-card spot.

“Edmonton has a great team,” Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier said. “We had a good start, kept our foot on the pedal, and thankfully, we came out with two points.”

Tuesday’s game also marked the return of forward Trevor Zegras, who had missed three games due to suspension.

However, it was the newly formed line of Gauthier, Mason McTavish, and Sam Colangelo that stood out:

• McTavish: Two goals
• Gauthier: Three assists
• Colangelo: One goal, one assist

“Just after every single shift, we boost each other up,” Gauthier said. “Whether it’s a bad play or a great play, we’re there for each other.”

Goaltending Matchup

• Ducks: John Gibson is expected to start after Lukas Dostal made 32 saves against Edmonton. Gibson has been excellent against Vancouver in his career, holding a 13-5-2 record with a 2.15 GAA and .929 save percentage.
• Canucks: If Hughes is out, Vancouver’s defense will need to step up to avoid another late-game collapse.

Explore comprehensive NHL Conference odds and predictions to see which teams are favored this season

What’s at Stake?

• For Vancouver: The Canucks must stop their skid and avoid falling further out of the playoff race.
• For Anaheim: The Ducks look to build off their win over Edmonton and stay in the hunt for a postseason spot.

With Hughes’ status up in the air and Anaheim playing some of its best hockey, expect an intense battle as Vancouver tries to right the ship on home ice.