Anaheim Ducks vs Vegas Golden Knights Picks and Predictions December 4th 2024

Anaheim Ducks vs Vegas Golden Knights December 4th 2024

Planning on watching today’s Golden Knights and Ducks game? Catch the action at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, as the Ducks hosts this showdown at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. The Golden Knights are the -1.5 goal favorites in this Pacific division matchup against the Ducks. The over/under for the game is set at 6 goals.

Vegas vs. Anaheim Key Information

• Teams: Golden Knights at Ducks
• Where: Honda Center Anaheim
• Date: Wednesday, December 4th
• Betting Odds VEG -174 | ANA +146 O/U 6

The Golden Knights Can Win If…

With a 4-3 overtime win against Utah, the Golden Knights moved to 16-7-3 on the season. Vegas was favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 7 goals surpassed that mark.

After falling behind 2-0, the Golden Knights rallied with four different players scoring. Brett Howden secured the win with a goal at 2:15 in overtime.

Vegas fired 35 shots on goal and scored four times in their 4-3 overtime win. Brett Howden netted his 6th goal of the season, while William Karlsson added his 2nd. Pavel Dorofeyev opened the scoring for the Golden Knights, marking his 7th goal of the year, and Noah Hanifin followed with his 2nd.

Hanifin also contributed two assists, bringing his total to 5 for the season. The Golden Knights were held scoreless in the first period before Dorofeyev got them on the board at 4:54 in the second period.

Defensively, the Golden Knights will look to start stronger after conceding the first two goals in their last game. They also allowed a late 3rd-period goal, which sent the game to overtime. Adin Hill made 16 saves with a save percentage of 84.2%, and the defense added 10 takeaways and 22 hits.

• Spanning across their last three games, Vegas have gone 2-1. The team has also been excellent vs the spread, going 2-1. Their over-under record in these games was 1-2.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Vegas has a record of 6-4. Their record vs the puck line sits at 6-4 in these matchups, while posting a 4-5-1 over-under mark.

The Ducks Can Win If…

Anaheim fell to 10-10-3 after a 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks. The Ducks were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined score of 6 fell just short of that mark.

The Ducks trailed 3-0 before finally getting on the board in the third period. Brock McGinn scored at 9:44 in the third, and Mason McTavish added another with just 4 seconds left in the game.

Anaheim’s offense took 39 shots on goal but only managed two in a 4-2 loss to Chicago. Brock McGinn scored his second goal of the season, while Mason McTavish also added his second, coming on a power play with just four seconds left in the game.

After a scoreless first two periods, McGinn got the Ducks on the board at 9:44 in the third. McTavish followed with his goal at 19:56. The Ducks had 16 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Ducks will look to improve after giving up the first three goals in their last game against the Blackhawks, including two on the power play. Lukas Dostal finished with a save percentage of 86.2%, stopping 25 shots. Anaheim’s defense added 6 takeaways and 15 hits.

• Over their last three games, the Ducks have gone 2-1 straight up. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 3-0 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 2-1 in those same games.
• Anaheim has put together a record of 6-4 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 10-0 and an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Ducks to take down the Golden Knights at home. With the moneyline currently at +146, I’m placing my bet on the Ducks straight-up.

Our projections have the Ducks pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Ducks, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

After a ‘Throwback’ Win, Golden Knights Prepare for Clash with Ducks

The Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks are set to face off in a Pacific Division showdown on Wednesday night. Both teams enter the game riding recent momentum but with contrasting approaches to their success stories.

Vegas Golden Knights: Defensive Resilience Sparks a Comeback

The Golden Knights rebounded from their most lopsided loss of the season, a 6-0 drubbing by Utah, with a gritty 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. The game showcased their ability to adapt, prioritizing defensive strength and discipline to stifle one of the NHL’s most dangerous offenses.

Adin Hill Shines in Net

Goaltender Adin Hill played a pivotal role, making 28 saves to secure the shutout. Hill described the game as reminiscent of a bygone era.
“It was a good defensive game by both sides. A 1-0 game feels like a 2003 throwback,” Hill said. “Our guys did a great job keeping them to the outside. It was one of our best defensive efforts of the season.”

Tactical Adjustments by Coach Cassidy

Coach Bruce Cassidy praised the team’s defensive execution, emphasizing the importance of “layered checking” to neutralize Edmonton’s star players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
“We did our jobs well,” Cassidy said. “It’s no easy task when McDavid’s coming at you fast and Draisaitl is a strong guy through the neutral zone, but we were able to check in layers against them.”

While the win was a defensive masterpiece, Vegas faced challenges late in the game. The Oilers outshot the Golden Knights 16-2 in the third period, and Vegas went without a shot for the final 19:04. Despite these issues, the victory bolstered their position atop the Pacific Division with a 5-1-1 run.

Anaheim Ducks: A Team on the Rise

The Anaheim Ducks, traditionally a team in rebuilding mode, have been on a surprising upswing this season. Their recent 5-2-1 stretch includes a hard-fought 4-3 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.

Resilience in Close Games

Sunday’s game highlighted Anaheim’s perseverance, as the team surrendered the lead three times but ultimately prevailed. Forward Frank Vatrano, who recorded two goals and an assist, attributed the team’s success to growing chemistry.
“The biggest thing with us is we know where each other’s going to be,” Vatrano said. “We’re not trying to out-skill teams — we’re just trying to out-smart them and play the right way.”

Frank Vatrano’s Scoring Surge

After a slow start to the season with only two goals in his first 18 games, Vatrano has rediscovered his scoring touch, netting four goals in the last four outings. His resurgence is a major reason for the Ducks’ improved play.
“I felt Frankie was going to score eventually,” said coach Greg Cronin. “Scorers go through dry spells, but they always find a way back.”

A Clash of Contrasting Styles

Wednesday’s game promises to be a fascinating matchup of styles:

• Vegas’ Strengths: The Golden Knights rely on defensive structure and the ability to suppress high-octane offenses. Their disciplined approach was on full display against Edmonton.
• Anaheim’s Growth: The Ducks have embraced a team-first mentality, combining smarter decision-making with improved execution. Their resilience in close games could prove crucial.

With both teams riding momentum and looking to solidify their standing in the Pacific Division, this clash offers the perfect mix of disciplined defense and emerging offensive firepower.

Historical Context: A Rare Defensive Showcase

Tuesday’s game between Vegas and Edmonton joined the ranks of only five NHL games in history to feature no penalty minutes and one goal or fewer. The last such game occurred in 1944, underscoring the rarity of Vegas’ defensive feat.

What to Watch For

• Can Vegas maintain its defensive prowess against an improving Ducks team?
• Will Anaheim’s newfound chemistry and Vatrano’s scoring streak continue to drive their success?
• Which team will dominate the critical third period, an area of vulnerability for both squads?

Both teams enter this matchup with confidence, setting the stage for a compelling Pacific Division battle. Will Vegas’ disciplined defense prevail, or will Anaheim’s rising offense outshine the Knights? Fans won’t have to wait long to find out.