Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the slate of 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 a critical Western Conference matchup as the Winnipeg Jets visit the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. With the Ducks fighting for Stanley Cup Playoff positioning, every point carries weight down the stretch. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions as we continue tracking the 2025–26 race.

NHL Predictions: Winnipeg Jets vs Anaheim Ducks

2025–26 Season Series: Anaheim leads 1–0

Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) | 7:00 p.m. PST

How to Watch – US TV: Victory+, ESPN+ | Canada TV: TSN3, TVAS, TVAS+

Location: Honda Center, Anaheim

Setting the Stage

Winnipeg enters at 23–26–8, while Anaheim sits at 31–23–3 and firmly in the playoff mix. Importantly, the Ducks are riding a 10–2–0 stretch and just earned Joel Quenneville his 1,000th NHL win in a 6–5 comeback victory over Edmonton. Leo Carlsson returned from a Morel-Lavallée lesion in his left thigh with a goal and two assists, immediately stabilizing Anaheim’s top six.

Meanwhile, the Jets remain in a tighter postseason position, with playoff projections shifting sharply depending on regulation results. Winnipeg’s structure contrasts sharply with Anaheim’s volatile identity. This matchup likely regresses toward control rather than chaos.

Winnipeg Jets Storyline

Winnipeg’s identity centres on defensive structure and goaltending. The Jets allow 3.07 goals against per game and rank stronger in five-on-five suppression metrics than Anaheim. Furthermore, their finishing efficiency and overall defensive ranking provide a stable baseline in tighter games.

However, offensive consistency remains an issue. The Jets average just 2.84 goals per game and rely heavily on Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor to generate controlled zone entries. If Connor Hellebuyck starts, Winnipeg’s defensive ceiling rises considerably. If Eric Comrie gets the nod, that margin narrows.

Discipline also matters. Winnipeg’s penalty kill operates at 79.2 percent, while their power play sits in the middle tier. In a likely lower-event contest, special teams could decide the outcome.

Power play goal for Winnipeg!Scored by Kyle Connor with 13:53 remaining in the 1st period.Assisted by Gabriel Vilardi and Mark Scheifele.Winnipeg: 1Montreal: 0#MTLvsWPG #GoJetsGo #GoHabsGo

— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) 2026-02-05T00:30:59.698558Z

Anaheim Ducks Storyline

Anaheim’s recent surge has been driven by opportunistic scoring and resilience. The Ducks win over Edmonton on Wednesday was their eighth multi-goal comeback victory, and they have now won six straight at home. Moreover, Lukas Dostal is 9–1–0 in his past 10 starts, providing consistency behind a defence that ranks 31st in five-on-five goals allowed.

Carlsson’s return adds needed puck possession support, while Cutter Gauthier and Troy Terry continue to generate rush offence. Nevertheless, the Ducks allow volume and quality against structured opponents. Against a disciplined Winnipeg team, defensive zone coverage will be tested.

If Anaheim dictates pace and limits neutral zone turnovers, they can tilt the ice. If not, Winnipeg’s structure compresses space quickly.

Power play goal for Anaheim!Scored by Cutter Gauthier with 15:28 remaining in the 2nd period.Assisted by Jackson LaCombe and Beckett Sennecke.Anaheim: 3Vegas: 0#VGKvsANA #FlyTogether #VegasBorn

— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) 2026-02-02T03:53:00.653943Z

The Model

The blended model simulates this matchup 10,000 times using weighted inputs from the in-house model on top of some other notable prediction models. The in-house model factors in five on five expected goal differential, special teams impact, projected goaltending, and rest adjusted context and give Anaheim a 55 percent chance to win. MoneyPuck projects Anaheim at 54.8 percent, while HockeyStats places the Ducks at 54 percent with a 3.1 to 2.9 projected goal split.

After removing market vig from the −130 line and blending internal metrics, Anaheim lands between 54 and 55 percent. Fair odds project near −120 to −125. The market remains efficient, offering limited moneyline edge.

NHL Prediction

This game is likely to be very different compare to Anaheim’s recent high-event win over Edmonton. Winnipeg will attempt to compress the middle of the ice and rely on structure. Meanwhile, Anaheim must avoid chasing rush chances.

Given home ice, recent form, and marginal model alignment, the lean remains toward Anaheim in a controlled contest.

Prediction: Ducks win 3–2 (Model Probability: ~55%)

2025–26 Season Prediction Record: 13–13

Prop Bets of the Night

This matchup suggests disciplined shot distribution rather than explosive offence. First, Kyle Connor over 3.5 shots (+120) aligns with Winnipeg’s need to generate volume through its primary transition driver. His usage remains stable regardless of score state.

Meanwhile, the under 6.5 goals at −130 reflects the projected 3.1 to 2.9 model output and Winnipeg’s structured defensive profile. After a 6–5 Ducks outing, regression toward controlled pace is likely.

Together, these angles reflect a competitive but tight Western Conference matchup.

2025–26 Season Betting Record: 30–25 (+8.08 units)

Projected lineups and starting goaltenders are based on available information at the time of writing. Please check official team sources prior to placing any wagers.

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Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images