Two of the league’s best at killing off power plays, the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks meet at the Honda Center for a Pacific Division matchup. The action will get underway at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, January 19, and it’ll be showcased live on NBC Sports Network.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks Odds
Los Angeles is 24-21 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.8 units this year. 22 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Kings are 13-9 SU as an away team in 2017-18.
Los Angeles has converted on just 16.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. Its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and the team’s successfully killed off a whopping 86.8 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.2 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties 10.6 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Boasting a .924 save percentage and 27.9 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (19-17-2) has been the primary option in goal for Los Angeles this season. Quick did just play last night, however, so Los Angeles might decide to rest him and instead turn to Darcy Kuemper (5-6-3 record, .931 save percentage, 2.21 goals against average).
The visiting Kings have relied on Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown this year. Kopitar (46 points) has tallied 18 goals and 28 assists, and has recorded two or more points 12 times. Brown has 15 goals and 17 assists to his credit (and has logged at least one point in 22 games).
On the other side of the rink, Anaheim is 21-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 46 regular season matches, 29 of its games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 11-11 SU at home this year.
Anaheim has converted on just 16.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Anaheim players have been sent to the penalty box 4.7 times per game in total this season, and 6.2 per game over their last five contests. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays a whopping 15.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
John Gibson (29.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson has 15 wins, 20 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit and has recorded a pedestrian 2.64 goals against average and a .922 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by Rickard Rakell (16 goals, 17 assists).
Los Angeles Kings at Anaheim Ducks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Anaheim (2-5 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Los Angeles, however, is undefeated in two shootouts this year.
The under has hit in three of Anaheim’s last five outings.
Over Los Angeles’ last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-4 in those games).
This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Los Angeles skaters have given out the second-most hits in the league (25.6 per game) while the Ducks have tallied the eighth-most (23.4).
