Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in head-to-head matchups. Today, we examine the game between the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks. Check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Nashville Predators vs Anaheim Ducks
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: FDSNSO; KTTV; Victory+; ESPN+
The Ducks (19-23-6) will host the Predators (18-22-7) at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA on January 25, 2025. This is the first of three meetings between two teams underperforming pre-season expectations this season. All-time, the Predators are 39-33-2-11 against the Ducks. For Ducks fans, that record is closer than it feels. In the last 20 years, Nashville has knocked the Ducks out of the playoffs twice, including in the Western Conference Finals in 2017. There has not been much rivalry in the last five years, but maybe that all changes with this game.
Filip Forsberg Leads the Predators’ Offensive Resurgence
Things were looking bleak for the Predators earlier this season. Expectations were rightfully high after singing marquee free agents Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault last offseason. The Predators got off to a terrible start this season, and despite their recent surge of success, they are one of the few teams looking up at the Ducks in the standings. With talent like Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Ryan Oreilly, and those new free agents, the Predators should easily be a dangerous playoff team. The offense is starting to come around as Filip Forsberg leads the team with 12 points in the last five games, including a thrilling game against the San Jose Sharks. The Predators edged out a 6-5 victory in an exciting game. Filip Forsberg scored twice to extend his goal streak to seven games. Despite the Sharks erasing a three-goal deficit to tie the game, Fedor Svechkov‘s third-period power-play goal secured Nashville’s 12th consecutive win against San Jose. The Predators have won five games in a row and seven of their last 10. Expect Justus Annunen to get the start with a 2.95 goals-against average and .894 save percentage.
Anaheim Ducks’ Offensive Woes: What Needs to Change?
The Ducks not only got back to winning ways against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night, but they did so convincingly. The final score was 5-1, with one empty net goal. Unfortunately, Mason McTavish did not score the empty-net goal. The forward sought his first hat trick, but he could not catch up to the puck, which was flipped the length of the ice by Alex Killorn.
Ducks coach Greg Cronin on the bottom six and Mason McTavish:
“Mac is a third-line guy that has offensive ability…. Who do you put with him that’s gonna both bring up his offensive ability and also stabilize the line as a reliable checking line.”@SportingTrib | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/FmkyMhXcAM
— Zach Cavanagh (@ZachCav) January 23, 2025
The Ducks are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. More notably, in the world of “obviously” stats, they are 18-0-2 this season when they score three or more. With all their young talent, the Ducks should not be so impotent on offense. At some point, that has to fall on the coach. However, if the Ducks keep mixing in solid wins here and there, they prolong the pain and head coach’s role on the team. Anaheim’s top scorer in the previous five games was Mason McTavish, who scored four points and three goals in that span. Unsurprisingly, the Ducks are the lowest-scoring team in the league, with a 2.42 GF/GP. Expect Lukas Dostal to get the start. Dostal has a 2.96 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
Prediction
The Anaheim Ducks edged out the Nashville Predators in a tightly contested game, with Troy Terry scoring the game-winning goal late in the third period. Despite a strong effort from Filip Forsberg and the Predators’ power play, Anaheim’s solid defense and timely saves from Lukas Dostal secured the victory.
Prediction: Ducks win 3 – 2
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out our NHL Predictions for the Nashville Predators vs Anaheim Ducks with some of our preferred prop bets of the night. Keep an eye on under 5.5 (+102) and Troy Terry’s anytime goal (+270). Odds courtesy of FanDuel.
Note: Always check the latest team news and player statuses before placing any bets, as injuries and other factors can influence game outcomes.
Main Photo: Christopher Hanewinc- Imagn-Images
Please play responsibly. Check for your local rules and age restrictions. Some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Have a gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The post NHL Predictions: January 25 Nashville Predators vs Anaheim Ducks appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.