Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. This edition features the Anaheim Ducks taking on the Vancouver Canucks. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025–26 season.
NHL Predictions: Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks
2025–26 Season Series: First meeting this season (Last season: Canucks 3 – 1 Ducks)
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST); 7:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST)
US TV: Victory+; ESPN+
Canada TV: SNP
Setting the Stage
The Anaheim Ducks (14–7–1) continue their homestand after another tight, playoff-style game, this time edging the Golden Knights 4–3 in overtime. Anaheim has won three of four and continues to sit atop the Pacific Division. Their young core keeps pushing their ceiling higher, and their rush game remains one of the most dangerous in the league. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks (9–12–2) enter having dropped three straight and six of seven. Their territorial play has eroded, their penalty kill ranks last in the league, and their goaltending continues to wobble. However, Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson remain capable of swinging games on their own. Anaheim’s challenge is avoiding early lapses, while Vancouver’s is simply stabilising long enough to give their stars a chance.
Vancouver Canucks Storyline
Vancouver’s recent stretch mirrors its underlying profile. They own a 44.87 percent expected goal share and rank near the bottom of the league in shot volume and suppression. Their five-on-five save percentage sits at 90.83 percent, and their penalty kill is thirty-second. Furthermore, their last outing, a 5–2 loss to Calgary, revealed the same issues. They conceded multiple rebound goals, lost rush coverage, and struggled to defend the slot. Kevin Lankinen allowed five goals on 21 shots, and Thatcher Demko remains day-to-day. However, Hughes continues to dominate play and enters tonight with eleven points in his last five games. Elias Pettersson remains their most dangerous finisher and sits at thirteen goals. Vancouver can still generate moments of pressure, but their depth forwards grade poorly in game score, and the defensive structure behind Hughes and Hronek has not held up.
Vancouver goal!Scored by Filip Hronek with 18:55 remaining in the 1st period.Assisted by Jake DeBrusk.Vancouver: 1Calgary: 0#CGYvsVAN #Canucks #Flames
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) 2025-11-24T02:16:02.139486Z
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Anaheim Ducks Storyline
Anaheim’s win against Vegas reinforced their growing maturity. They erased a two-goal deficit and leaned on execution in key moments. Cutter Gauthier extended his home point streak to eight games after scoring the overtime winner, while Troy Terry and Jackson LaCombe each delivered multi-point nights. Meanwhile, Leo Carlsson became the youngest Duck to reach 60 career assists and continues to drive Anaheim’s most dangerous sequences. Additionally, Anaheim’s five-on-five numbers show strength. Their goal share sits at 53.97 percent, and they finish far above expectation with a 10.15 percent shooting rate. Lukas Dostal remains steady with an 11–5–1 record and a .904 save percentage. Anaheim’s flaw remains high-danger defence, yet they compensate with rush pressure, clean exits, and a top six that grades far stronger than Vancouver’s. If Anaheim maintains structure, its finishers should again tilt the game.
Anaheim goal!Scored by Cutter Gauthier with 01:03 remaining in the OT period.Anaheim: 4Vegas: 3#VGKvsANA #FlyTogether #VegasBorn
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) 2025-11-23T05:51:45.160455Z
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The Model
Our blended model simulates this matchup ten thousand times using four independent inputs: the in-house projection, MoneyPuck, the betting market with vig removed, and Advanced Hockey Stats. Each input is equally weighted to ensure a balanced probability view anchored in both process and results. MoneyPuck lists Anaheim at 62.4 percent, while the market sits near 59.5 percent after vig removal. However, AHS gives Vancouver a 58 percent edge driven by expected goals and shot share. The in-house model, buoyed by Anaheim’s finishing and Dostal’s stability, favours the Ducks at 55 percent. Across ten thousand simulations, Anaheim wins 54.2 percent of outcomes (fair odds ~−118), and Vancouver wins 45.8 percent (+118). The projection reflects Anaheim’s finishing and home-ice advantage battling Vancouver’s process-driven profile. However, the gap in penalty killing and goaltending keeps the Ducks narrowly ahead.
NHL Prediction
Expect Vancouver to push the pace early, especially through Hughes, but Anaheim’s ability to finish rush chances should matter more as the game settles. Furthermore, Dostal provides a clearer edge in the crease than Vancouver can offer at the moment. Anaheim’s top six continues to overwhelm weaker defensive teams, and Vancouver’s depth forwards have struggled to hold their matchups. Ultimately, Anaheim’s finishing, structure at home, and advantage in late-game moments should define the night.
Prediction: Ducks win 4–2 (54.2% win probability)
2025–26 Season Prediction Record: 5–3
Prop Bets of the Night
Tonight’s prop card leans into Anaheim’s high-end finishing. Gauthier anytime goal (+170) fits the matchup after an eight-game home point streak and a growing role on the rush. His ability to exploit Vancouver’s transition struggles makes him the most logical scorer. Additionally Anaheim team’s total over 3.5 (-125) goals aligns cleanly with Vancouver’s recent defensive trend and last-ranked penalty kill. Both plays match the projected 4–2 result and ride Anaheim’s scoring talent without requiring a chaotic pace.
2025–26 Season Betting Record: 9–10 (+1.04 units)
Main Photo: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: November 26 Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.