The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are heating up as we move into the Western Conference Semi-Finals! On Monday, May 4, 2026, the Anaheim Ducks will travel to T-Mobile Arena to take on the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 1 of what promises to be an explosive series. Here is everything you need to know about the matchup, team stats, and how to tune in.
How to Watch Anaheim Ducks at Vegas Golden Knights Game 1 on TV and Streaming
Finding the right broadcast for NHL playoff hockey can sometimes be confusing, but we’ve got you covered. Game 1 between the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights drops the puck on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 9:30 PM EDT (6:30 PM PDT local time).
If you are watching in the USA, the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Cord-cutters can stream the game live using the ESPN app, ESPN+, or via streaming TV services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV. For fans tuning in from Canada, the game will be available on Sportsnet (English) and TVA Sports (French), with streaming options available on Sportsnet+.
Regional Blackouts Explained: During the NHL regular season, local fans often face regional blackouts if a game is broadcast on a local regional sports network (RSN) instead of national television. However, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, exclusive national broadcast rights take over. Because ESPN and Sportsnet hold the exclusive national rights for this Game 1 matchup, all regional blackouts are completely lifted. Whether you live in Southern California, Las Vegas, or anywhere else, you can simply tune into ESPN or Sportsnet to catch the action without fear of being blacked out.
Tale of the Tape: Team Records and Last Game Results
Both squads had excellent 2025-26 regular seasons and looked dominant in the first round. The Vegas Golden Knights finished first in the Pacific Division with a 39-26-17 record (95 points). They are coming off a 4-2 series victory over the Utah Mammoth, closing them out with a dominant 5-1 win in Game 6.
The Anaheim Ducks, finishing third in the Pacific Division with a 43-33-6 record (92 points), proved they are a legitimate postseason threat. They also won their first-round series 4-2, eliminating the heavily favored Edmonton Oilers after a thrilling 5-2 victory in their last game.
2025-26 Leading Scorers and Key Injury Updates
The offensive firepower in this series is incredible. The Ducks are led by young phenom Cutter Gauthier, who racked up an incredible 41 goals and 69 points this season, along with Leo Carlsson’s 67-point campaign. On the Vegas side, Jack Eichel has been an absolute machine, tallying 90 points (27 goals, 63 assists), heavily supported by Pavel Dorofeyev’s 37 goals.
On the injury front, the Ducks are dealing with a few key absences. Defenseman Radko Gudas is currently listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, while Ross Johnston and Jansen Harkins remain out. Goaltender Petr Mrazek remains out for the season following hip surgery. For the Golden Knights, they are entering Game 1 mostly healthy, though forward William Karlsson is not expected to participate unless the team makes a deep run.
Game 1 Betting Odds & Official Prediction
Looking at the betting board, the current odds have Vegas as the home favorite at -166, with the Over/Under set at 6.5 goals. Personally, I think the Golden Knights have the upper hand at home in T-Mobile Arena. While Anaheim’s young stars have been incredible and eliminating Edmonton was no small feat, Jack Eichel’s playmaking is on another level right now, and Carter Hart has looked sharp in net. I’m backing Vegas on the moneyline, and I expect a tight, physical Game 1 that falls just under the 6.5 total as both teams feel each other out. My official score prediction is a 3-2 victory for the Vegas Golden Knights.
If you want to keep tracking the action, you can find the Anaheim Ducks on TV today and the complete Vegas Golden Knights TV schedule right here on our site. We also have full coverage of the NHL point leaders 2025-26 season so you can see how the stats unfold. Finally, don’t forget to enter our online hockey pool for cash prizes on my website before the puck drops!
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