Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on\u00a0Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL games all season long. This time around, we\u2019re taking a closer look at a matchup featuring the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Rangers.<\/p>\n
NHL Predictions New York Rangers vs Anaheim Ducks<\/p>\n
25-26 Series: Ducks 1-0 Rangers<\/p>\n
How To Watch:<\/a> Victory+, MSG, KCOP-13<\/p>\n Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, California<\/p>\n Rangers Storylines<\/p>\n A lot has happened in the world of the New York Rangers recently. Chris Drury released a letter to the fans to inform them of the beginning of a new \u201cretool. The Rangers also informed Artemi Panarin that he will not be getting offered a contract extension<\/a>. This news has made it quite clear the Rangers are not focusing on the Stanley Cup, and will instead look to retool for the future.<\/p>\n Panarin is the best player New York has, and he will continue to carry their offense as long as he\u2019s with the team. Mika Zibanejad has been on fire as of late, scoring a hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers in a 6-3 win. Even so, the Rangers are still without both Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin, two key players. This resulted in a five game losing streak before the win over the Flyers.<\/p>\n J.T. \u27a1\ufe0f Mika for the hatty! pic.twitter.com\/sfIofxtpX0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n With Panarin the only point-per-game player on the Rangers\u2019 roster, how he plays is always a big factor in Rangers wins and losses. Without him, the Rangers may struggle even more than they have. Even so, New York is not the only team that\u2019s been through a rough patch.<\/p>\n Ducks Storylines<\/p>\n The Ducks struggles have continued thanks to the copious amount of injuries affecting their lineup. The big one is Leo Carlsson of course, who will be out for 3-5 weeks<\/a> following a strange injury in his thigh. Carlsson has been their best player all season, scoring 44 points in 44 games this season. The injury list doesn\u2019t end there.<\/p>\n Winger Troy Terry, a key piece of the Ducks top-six is also on injured reserve and Frank Vatrano is out for six weeks with a shoulder injury. Maybe more significant for this game is the absence of Chris Kreider. Kreider is currently day-to-day with an illness, and losing him for this game against his former team could be a big loss. The Ducks recently went on a nine-game losing streak, but have now won three in a row.<\/p>\n On the plus side for the Ducks, forward Beckett Sennecke has played well the last few games as he has emerged as a great well-rounded player following the injuries to Anaheim\u2019s lineup. Cutter Gauthier will need to step up as well, as he has ran cold the last few games.<\/p>\n SENNECKE PICKS FIALA\u2019S POCKET AND THEN GRANLUND ON THE OTHER END WINS IT IN OT \ud83d\ude31\ud83d\udea8 pic.twitter.com\/GV0BCmnHb8<\/a><\/p>\n