The Ducks will host the Golden Knights on Friday night in Game 3 of the second round of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, with puck drop set for 9:30 p.m. ET. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Anaheim is a slight -108 home underdog on the Moneyline, and the game’s total is set at O/U 6.5 goals.

Below, I’ll provide a Ducks vs. Golden Knights Game 3 prediction and pick.

Ducks vs. Golden Knights Game 3 prediction, preview

The series is tied 1-1, with Games 3 and 4 set to take place in Anaheim. Home-ice advantage is nonexistent in the postseason for the most part, but it should still bode well for the Ducks, who have averaged a whopping 5.33 goals per game across three home games this postseason. Now, those three games came against Edmonton and its poor goaltending and defense, and Vegas deploys one of the best defenses in the postseason. Plus, Carter Hart has seemingly looked better as the postseason has progressed, posting a 4-1 record, 2.40 GAA and .922 SV% across his past five starts. It is worth noting that he has struggled on the road thus far, with a 2.76 GAA and .864 SV% across three road starts.

Lukas Dostal will likely start for the Ducks, and while he has looked susceptible at home this postseason, he has posted a 2-1 record, 1.70 GAA and .929 SV% across his past three starts. Anaheim is the better 5v5 team, outranking Vegas in multiple metrics such as 5v5 xGoals%, 5v5 Corsi% and 5v5 xGoals per 60. However, after going 8-for-16 on the power play in the first round, the Ducks have gone 0-for-9 across the first two games of the second round. Given how defensively sound the Golden Knights are and the limited high-danger chances they let up, this Ducks team needs to find its legs on the man advantage sooner or later.

Ducks vs. Golden Knights Game 3 pick, best bet

Best Bet: ANA Ducks Moneyline (-108)

While Vegas has the upper hand in playoff experience, this Ducks team is very fun, and it has found the back of the net often in front of its home crowd this postseason. Hart has been playing well, but it feels unsustainable, and Anaheim is littered with talented players that can produce high-quality chances all game.

Strong Lean: Jackson LaCombe 1+ Points (-130)

LaCombe totaled five points across three home games in the first round, and he has notched at least one point in all but two games this postseason. He leads all defensemen in assists and leads the Ducks in total ice time.