Anaheim Ducks vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/08/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Thursday, January 8, 2026

Venue:  Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC

Where to Watch:  ESPN+

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Ducks +180, Hurricanes -218; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

Bet365:  Moneyline:  Ducks +180, Hurricanes -220; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Ducks +180, Hurricanes -220; Over/Under:  6.5 goals

Anaheim Ducks:  21-19-3 (6th place, Pacific Division)

Carolina Hurricanes:  26-14-3 (1st place, Metropolitan Division)

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Anaheim Ducks:  1-7-2 last 10

Carolina Hurricanes:  4-5-1 last 10

The Ducks are entering this game with 45 points, a 21-19-3 record overall, and they are 9-11-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game, losing that one on the road 5-2. Alex Killorn and Cutter Gauthier each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Jackson LaCombe and Troy Terry each led the team in assists with 2 while Cutter Gauthier led the team in shots on net in that game with 3. Lukáš Dostál was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 38 shots with 34 saves and a .895 save percentage. Their offense has scored 145 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 158 goals against them allowing 3.7 goals per game.

The Hurricanes are entering this game with 55 points, a 26-14-3 record overall, and they are 14-8-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Dallas Stars in their last game, winning that one at home 6-3. K'Andre Miller led the team in goals scored with 2 while Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, Shayne Gostisbehere, and William Carrier each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Andrei Svechnikov led the team in assists with 4 while Seth Jarvis led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Brandon Bussi was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 22 shots with 19 saves and a .909 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 147 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 131 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.

The current betting odds have the Hurricanes listed as a big favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Hurricanes have looked great in their games this season with their 26-14-3 record overall which has them right at the top of their division in the East. They have looked good on home ice too with their 14-8-1 home record this year. Meanwhile, the Ducks have looked good in their games this season with their 21-19-3 record overall, but that record has them in the bottom half of their division in the West. They haven't been a great road team though with their 9-11-2 road record this year. The Ducks were one of the hottest teams in the NHL to start the season as they were leading the Pacific Division for quite a while, but lately they have been terrible and have seen a lot of regression. They are 1-7-2 in their last 10 games and they have lost 7 games in a row now, coming off a 5-2 loss to the Flyers in their last one too. The Hurricanes continue to be one of the best teams in the East though and they have looked a lot better lately. They are only 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, but they have some momentum on their side with 2 wins in a row now, and they are off a 6-3 win over the Stars in their last one. The Hurricanes have also been one of the best home teams in the entire NHL over the last few years so they can take advantage of this slumping Ducks team that has been bad on the road. The best way to place a bet here is on the Hurricanes to win this game and on the puckline. 

Ducks Hurricanes Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Thursday, January 8, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Hurricanes 5 Ducks 2.

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Anaheim Ducks: 24-25 (+14.3 units) on the moneyline as a road underdog of +100 to +200. 23-31 (+9 units) on the moneyline revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 3 goals or more. 35-59 (+5.7 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 13-7 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive overs.

Carolina Hurricanes: 133-82 (-10.4 units) on the moneyline as a favorite. 78-61 (-25.9 units) on the moneyline off a win in their previous game. 38-32 (-23.3 units) on the moneyline when playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 40% to 49%). 67-42 UNDER after playing a home game.

Anaheim Ducks:  P. Mrazek (G) Day To Day - Undisclosed. F. Vatrano (RW) Out - Shoulder.

Carolina Hurricanes:  N. Philp (C) Day To Day - Undisclosed. P. Kochetkov (G) Out For Season - Undisclosed. J. Slavin (D) Out - Upper Body. C. Legault (D) Out - Hand.

"First and foremost, our compete just has to be better. That's just a key that we have to figure out and come together and do. There's always areas you can clean up, but I think for us that's kind of our biggest thing." - Jackson LaCombe after their loss against the Flyers in their game on Tuesday.

“It’s bounces, things go your way a little bit. It helps to have top-end guys back in your lineup. And also for your goalie to be your best player helps, too.” - Rod Brind’Amour after his team’s win against the Stars in their game on Tuesday.

LW Chris Kreider

C Leo Carlsson

RW Troy Terry

LD Jackson LaCombe

RD Jacob Trouba

G Lukas Dostal

LW Andrei Svechnikov

C Sebastian Aho

RW Nikolaj Ehlers

LD Shayne Gostisbehere

RD Jalen Chatfield

G Brandon Bussi

Points: Leo Carlsson (42)

Goals: Cutter Gauthier (20)

Assists: Troy Terry (29)

GAA: Lukas Dostal (3.22)

Points: Sebastian Aho (43)

Goals: Seth Jarvis (20)

Assists: Sebastian Aho (26)

GAA: Brandon Bussi (2.29)

Coaches:

Anaheim Ducks: Joel Quenneville (1st season)

Carolina Hurricanes: Rod Brind'Amour (8th season)