Nashville Predators fans are rooting for the Vegas Golden Knights to defeat the Anaheim Ducks in the playoffs. This rivalry has deep roots, with significant postseason encounters between the two teams over the years.
Key points
Nashville Predators fans hope for a Vegas win over Anaheim
The rivalry has existed for over a decade
Key playoff encounters include 2011 and 2017
Ducks are facing Golden Knights in the 2026 playoffs
Nashville PredatorsAnaheim DucksVegas Golden Knights2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Why Nashville Predators fans should hope Vegas beats Anaheim in the playoffs
Rivals for well over a decade, Nashville and Anaheim have had several postseason standoffs, starting with the Predators' first-ever playoff series win in 2011, then peaking with the Predators' memorable Western Conference Final victory in 2017.
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Q&A
Why do Nashville Predators fans want the Vegas Golden Knights to beat the Anaheim Ducks?
Nashville Predators fans hope for a Vegas victory to prevent their long-time rivals, the Anaheim Ducks, from advancing in the playoffs.
What is the history of the rivalry between the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks?
The rivalry dates back over a decade, highlighted by the Predators' first playoff series win in 2011 and their Western Conference Final victory in 2017.
When are the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks playoff matchups significant?
Their matchups have been significant during several postseason encounters, particularly in 2011 and 2017, marking key moments in both teams' histories.
What round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs are the Ducks and Golden Knights currently in?
The Ducks are facing the Golden Knights in the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
A shot from Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg lands in the net for a goal past Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (17) works the puck past Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators right wing Joakim Kemell (25) battles Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau (67_during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
A shot from Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier lands in the net past Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for a goal during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with center Ryan Poehling (25) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) defends against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel (5) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks left wing Jeffrey Viel (28) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates before his first NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
1 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
1 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
2 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
3 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
A shot from Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg lands in the net for a goal past Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
4 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (17) works the puck past Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
5 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
6 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
7 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators right wing Joakim Kemell (25) battles Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau (67_during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
8 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
9 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
10 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
A shot from Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier lands in the net past Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for a goal during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
11 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with center Ryan Poehling (25) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
12 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) defends against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
13 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel (5) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks left wing Jeffrey Viel (28) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
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Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates before his first NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Why the Predators want the Golden Knights to beat the Ducks
As part of the condition, that third-round pick becomes a second-round pick if the Golden Knights win at least two rounds in the 2026 playoffs.
Vegas already beat the Utah Mammoth in six games to win in the first round. Now in a tight matchup against Anaheim, the series heads back to Vegas tied 2-2 after the Ducks won Game 4 on May 10. Game 5 is on May 12 (8:30 p.m. CT) and Game 6 is on May 14 (8:30 p.m. CT).
If Vegas pulls through and beats Anaheim, the Predators would gain a second-round pick, improving their already impressive draft pick haul for 2026 and 2027. Here's Nashville's total number of draft picks per round over the next two drafts:
Two 1st-round picks (1 in 2026, 1 in 2027)
Three 2nd-round picks (2 in 2026, 1 in 2027, pending Vegas vs Anaheim result)
Six 3rd-round picks (2 in 2026, 4 in 2027, pending Vegas vs Anaheim result)
Four 4th-round picks (2 in 2026, 2 in 2027)
Five 5th-round picks (3 in 2026, 2 in 2027)
Two 6th-round picks (1 in 2026, 1 in 2027)
Two 7th-round picks (1 in 2026, 1 in 2027)
Following the NHL's draft lottery, the Predators will pick at No. 10 overall in the 2026 draft. This will be Nashville's ninth top-10 pick in franchise history and one year after taking Brady Martin at No. 5 overall.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter,@alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page@tennessean_preds.
