A pair of teams currently on losing skids, the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings clash at the Staples Center for a Pacific Division showdown. The action will get going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13 and it will be broadcasted live on Fox Sports West.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (-135) is currently the favorite over Anaheim (+115), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-135 money on the under, +115 on the over).
Los Angeles is 24-18 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 3.1 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the Pacific Division so far in the early season, is a welcome improvement compared to how the team performed during last year’s regular season (39-43). 21 of its 42 contests have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just three have pushed. This season, the team is 11-9 SU at home.
The Kings have converted on 17.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 87.5 percent of all penalties.
The Kings, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 4.9 per game over their last ten contests. The team’s had to kill penalties for 8.8 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Boasting a .926 save percentage and 28.2 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (19-15-2) has been the top option in goal for Los Angeles this year. If Los Angeles decides to give him a rest, however, head coach John Stevens might go with Darcy Kuemper (5-5-5 record, .934 save percentage, 2.11 goals against average).
The Kings will continue to lean on the leadership from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Kopitar (44 points) has tallied 17 goals and 27 assists and has recorded two or more points in 12 different games this year. Brown has 15 goals and 17 assists to his name and has notched a point in 22 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Anaheim is 19-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 28 of its outings have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the visiting team, the Ducks are 9-13 SU so far.
The Ducks have converted on just 16.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.6 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.6 times per game in total this season, and 4.0 per game over their last ten games. The team’s had to kill penalties an unhealthy 13.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
John Gibson (.923 save percentage and 2.65 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 30.1 saves per game and owns a 13-20-6 record.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Ducks will be Rickard Rakell (15 goals, 16 assists) and Ryan Getzlaf (four goals, 20 assists).
Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Power-play opportunities could prove to be critical in tonight’s matchup. The Ducks are 3-8 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 10-11 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Kings are 9-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 16-8 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Anaheim (2-5 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Los Angeles, however, is undefeated in two shootouts this year.
The over has hit in three of Los Angeles’ last five games.
Los Angeles is ranked 22nd this season with 10.5 giveaways per game. That figure has improved recently, however, as the team’s averaged 9.1 giveaways over its last 10 games and 8.4 giveaways over its last five.
Anaheim has averaged 8.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 10.3 giveaways per game (ranked 22nd).
This game features a couple of the more aggressive defenses in the league. Anaheim skaters have accounted for the league’s 10th-most hits per game (23.2) while the Kings have handed the second-most (25.0).
