The New York Rangers are set to face off against the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center on March 28, 2025, in a crucial matchup for both teams. With the Rangers fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive and the Ducks looking to build momentum for the offseason, this game promises to be an exciting contest.
As the Rangers (34-32-6) travel to Southern California, they’ll be looking to improve on their previous meeting with the Ducks, where they narrowly won 2-1 at Madison Square Garden on October 26, 2024. This marks the second and final showdown of the season between these two teams, and both sides have different stakes as the regular season winds down.
The Ducks have shown signs of life recently, boasting a 2-1-1 record in their past four games. Their most recent outing was a convincing 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins, where rookie sensation Leo Carlsson stole the show with a two-goal performance. One of those goals was a spectacular shorthanded effort, showcasing his skill and potential. "LEO CARLSSON SHORTHANDED GOAL!! #FlyTogether" declared Late Arrivals on social media, highlighting the excitement surrounding Carlsson's play.
Despite the recent success, the Ducks' overall record over the last 10 games stands at 4-5-1, reflecting the struggles they’ve faced throughout the season. With playoff aspirations out of reach for the seventh consecutive year, Anaheim is looking to find positives as they head into the offseason. Carlsson, along with fellow young talents like Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, and Cutter Gauthier, offers a glimpse of hope for the future.
Defensively, the Ducks have tightened up, allowing fewer goals and showing improved structure compared to earlier in the season. Goaltender Lukas Dostal is expected to start against the Rangers. Although his performance has dipped from an impressive start, Dostal has shown resilience, with a goals-against average of 2.99 and a save percentage of .907.
On the other hand, the Rangers are struggling to find consistency, with a disappointing 3-6-1 record in their last 10 games. Their latest game resulted in a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, emphasizing ongoing issues with generating offense and maintaining a solid defensive structure. Head coach Peter Laviolette has been making changes to the power play units in hopes of reigniting the Rangers' scoring ability.
Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers offensively but has only managed two goals and four points in his last five games. The team will need more from him and their other key players if they hope to make a push for the playoffs, with MoneyPuck currently giving them a 20% chance of securing a postseason spot. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin remains a crucial figure for the Rangers, often keeping them competitive with his standout performances. Shesterkin boasts a goals-against average of 2.80 and a save percentage of .908.
In terms of lineup changes, the Rangers have made some notable adjustments ahead of this critical matchup. Sam Carrick returns to the lineup after missing the previous game due to the birth of his son. However, Matt Rempe will miss his first game due to an upper-body injury sustained during the loss to the Kings, with Brett Berard stepping in to fill the void.
Additionally, Laviolette has decided to healthy scratch Zac Jones, opting to slot in Uhro Vaakanainen in his place. The official NHL media site lists Jones, Calvin de Haan, and Juuso Pärssinen as healthy scratches for the game against the Ducks.
As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, the stakes couldn't be higher. The Ducks will look to capitalize on their recent momentum and home-ice advantage, while the Rangers will aim to snap their slump and secure vital points in their playoff chase. The prediction from analysts suggests that the Ducks will win this matchup 3-2, with Leo Carlsson continuing his hot streak by scoring an early goal.
For those looking to place prop bets, consider betting on Leo Carlsson to score at any time at +300, given his recent form. Additionally, the under 5.5 total goals at +112 could be an appealing option, anticipating a tight and low-scoring affair.
With the game set to start at 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), fans will be eagerly watching to see if the Rangers can turn their fortunes around or if the Ducks will continue their positive trend. The excitement is palpable as both teams gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable night of hockey.
