Two of the league’s best at killing off power plays, the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks face off at the Honda Center in a cross-town tilt. The first puck will drop at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, March 30, and it’s being televised live on Sportsnet ONE.
Los Angeles Kings at Anaheim Ducks Odds
Los Angeles is 42-35 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 77 regular season contests, 40 of its games have gone under the total, while 34 have gone over and just three have pushed. As a road team this season, the Kings are 22-18 SU.
Los Angeles has converted on 20.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Additionally, it has the best penalty kill in the league, and it’s successfully killed off 84.9 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.1 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (31-29-2) has been the top option in goal for Los Angeles this year. If head coach John Stevens decides to rest him, however, the team may turn to Darcy Kuemper (10-9-3), who has a .932 save percentage and 2.10 goals against average this year.
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Kings. Kopitar has 88 points on 34 goals and 54 assists, and has recorded two or more points 24 times. Brown has 23 goals and 32 assists to his credit, and has notched a point in 38 games.
On the other bench, Anaheim is 39-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 46 of its contests have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 22-15 SU at home this year.
Anaheim has converted on just 17.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.1 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim skaters have been sent to the penalty box 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.1 per game over their last ten contests. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
John Gibson has denied 29.2 shots per game as the primary netminder in goal for Anaheim. Gibson has 31 wins, 27 losses, and eight overtime losses to his credit and has registered a 2.46 goals against average and a .925 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by Rickard Rakell (31 goals, 34 assists).
Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The total has gone under in three of Anaheim’s last five outings.
The Kings are 16-11 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 29-19 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total.
Los Angeles is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Anaheim is 4-7 in shootouts.
Anaheim skaters have managed 7.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 5.9 takeaways per game (ranked 26th).
Los Angeles has forced 5.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, right in line with its season average of 4.9 takeaways per game (ranked 31st overall).
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