The Nashville Predators (36-31-10) and Anaheim Ducks (41-31-5) meet in the NHL Tuesday. Puck drop is set for 10:00 p.m. EDT at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Ducks are priced at +170 to cover the puck-line (-1.5), with the over/under set at 6.5 (-118o / -102u). The Ducks are a -142 favorite to win outright, while the Predators are +120 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Predators vs. Ducks predictions and NHL picks.
Predators vs. Ducks Odds, Pick
| Predators Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -205 | 6.5 -118o / -102u | +120 |
| Ducks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +170 | 6.5 -118o / -102u | -142 |
- Predators vs. Ducks Spread: Ducks -1.5 (+170), Predators +1.5 (-205)
- Predators vs. Ducks Over/Under: 6.5 (-118o / -102u)
- Predators vs. Ducks Moneyline: Predators +120, Ducks -142
Predators vs Ducks Kalshi Odds
If you want to trade on Predators vs Ducks at Kalshi, sign up using our Kalshi promo code. This prediction market app is legal in most states and offers a variety of unique markets beyond the NHL.
Predators vs. Ducks Preview
Nashville Predators
The Predators will look to respond after suffering a heartbreaking shootout loss Monday versus the Los Angeles Kings, which could quite realistically determine the winner of the race for the second Wild Card spot out West. Nashville generated 36 scoring chances to the Kings' total of 29 in the game and led 2.94 to 2.22 in expected goal share, though at even strength the game was quite evenly contested.
The Kings have an extremely soft remaining schedule, so the Predators' margin for error has become extremely thin, as they will likely need seven points or more from the final five games to have a chance.
There is a pretty strong case to be made that the Predators are the most formidable side of the teams fighting for the final playoff spot out West. Since January 1st, the Preds are 18-14-6 and hold a 50.7% expected goal share in that span.
Nashville has found balance inside the top six in offering a top line of Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly, and Zachary L'Heureux, and a second line of Filip Forsberg, Michael Wood, and Jonathan Marchessault. Stamkos has lived up to his contract this season after a down year in 2024-25, while Forsberg has quietly been one of the league's most impressive forwards down the stretch.
As with all of the teams in the Western Wild Card race, Nashville is not without some holes in the lineup; however, it is 13-5-3 versus the ultra-soft Pacific Division and likely would almost hold a better record if playing out of that division, which is pertinent to Tuesday's matchup.
It's not entirely unlikely that the Predators will start number-one netminder Juuse Saros in back-to-back games given the importance of this matchup, something we have seen a little more of late from teams in the playoff chase. However, Juustus Annunen has been solid this year, which suggests it might make more sense for him to get the start. Annunen holds a +1.6 GSAx and a .898 save percentage (league average is down to .897 this season) across 25 appearances.
Anaheim Ducks
Coming from someone who went heavy on Joel Quenneville to win the Jack Adams this season and several other futures involving Anaheim being surprisingly good, it does feel as though it is somewhat lucky to be a near-lock to make the playoffs. The Ducks are 8-0 in shootouts and, excluding those results from their goal differential (which the NHL does not do for some reason), own a -22 goal differential.
The Ducks have played a very high-event, exciting brand of hockey under Quenneville, and, freed from the shackles of former head coach Greg Cronin, young stars such as Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier have thrived offensively.
But their defensive concerns have become more meaningful as the majority of the league has transitioned to a tighter checking style down the stretch. Despite managing to win both games, the Ducks did not defend remotely well versus the Vancouver Canucks or Calgary Flames on March 24th and March 26th. Sure enough, they have been exposed in the five games that have followed, allowing 4.8 goals against per game.
In 21 games since the Olympic break, Anaheim has allowed 4.25 xGA/60. The eye test has very much matched the analytics during that period, as generating odd-man rushes and interior shots continues to look relatively simple for opponents, including weaker offensive teams such as the Calgary Flames.
This does set up as a good spot for the Ducks to play a cleaner game defensively. They hold a rest advantage in having last played on Saturday and were able to get a full practice in on Monday, which is a rarity for NHL teams due to the condensed schedule because of the Olympics.
The Ducks may have some notable absences from the lineup, though, as Cutter Gauthier is day-to-day, as is captain Radko Gudas.
Lukas Dostal is expected to get the start in goal. He holds a +0.1 GSAx rating and a .890 save percentage across 50 appearances this season.
Predators vs. Ducks Prediction
Entering tonight's slate, 25.2% of games this season have required overtime. As a general rule, that automatically makes prices in the +320 range (23.8% implied probability) worth a look.
This matchup in particular has many of the characteristics I look for when betting on the tie. The Predators will be desperate to keep this game close, with their season more or less hanging in the balance, and their recent form makes me believe it would be quite surprising to see them blown out.
The Ducks have a notable situational edge, though, and should be able to offer a strong enough performance to, at worst, keep the scoreline close. Anaheim has also been tremendous at authoring late comebacks to force the extra session this season but has rarely won in blowout fashion, especially relative to its overall record.
At +320, I see value in backing this game to go to overtime, and would bet it down to +310.
Pick: Regulation Tie +320 (DraftKings, Play to +310)
