Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL games all season long. This time around, we’re taking a closer look at a matchup featuring the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Rangers.
NHL Predictions New York Rangers vs Anaheim Ducks
25-26 Series: Ducks 1-0 Rangers
How To Watch: Victory+, MSG, KCOP-13
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, California
Rangers Storylines
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 “retool. The Rangers also informed Artemi Panarin that he will not be getting offered a contract extension. 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.
Panarin is the best player New York has, and he will continue to carry their offense as long as he’s 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.
J.T. ➡️ Mika for the hatty! pic.twitter.com/sfIofxtpX0
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 17, 2026
With Panarin the only point-per-game player on the Rangers’ 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’s been through a rough patch.
Ducks Storylines
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 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’t end there.
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.
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’s lineup. Cutter Gauthier will need to step up as well, as he has ran cold the last few games.
SENNECKE PICKS FIALA’S POCKET AND THEN GRANLUND ON THE OTHER END WINS IT IN OT 😱🚨 pic.twitter.com/GV0BCmnHb8
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 18, 2026
Predictions and Key Bets To Watch
Prediction: Rangers 3-2 Ducks
This will be a close game. However, the Rangers found some confidence in the win over the Flyers, and the Ducks are very short on forwards. If Johnathon Quick can play like he did earlier this season, New York should have a good shot to win this one. Anaheim has a lot to overcome in this one, and we expect the Rangers to stay hot.
For key bets, look for Artemi Panarin to get a few points. The Ducks don’t have an amazing defense, and Panarin will be raring to prove that he can still play well for another team after a trade. Brennan Othmann just scored his first NHL goal in the win over the Flyers, and he’s been playing with a lot of juice the last few games. Look for him to continue to produce as well. For the Ducks, it’s been a minute for Gauthier to find the back of the net, and we expect him to do just that against the Rangers. Sennecke is a good bet to score as well.
Main Photo: Brad Penner – Imagn Images
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