Game: Los Angeles Kings @ Anaheim Ducks
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Odds: Kings -260, Ducks +231
Total: 6.5
The Los Angeles Kings are unbeaten since returning from the All-Star break, but they are still looking for ways to get better. Tonight’s game in Anaheim will give the Kings another chance to improve. The race for first place in the Pacific Division has become extremely close. The top four teams in the division are separated by only two points and five teams held playoff positions heading into play on Thursday.
The Kings have had three days off since their last game, a convincing 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. That gives LA a record of 5-1-1 over their last seven games. Head coach Todd McLellan wants to keep the Kings rolling. Los Angeles has won just three playoff games in the past four seasons combined.
The Ducks have been playing poorly as of last. On Wednesday, the Ducks were defeated by the Sabres by a score of 7-3, falling to last place in the Pacific Division standings in the process. After taking a 3-2 lead in the second period, Anaheim was forced to watch as things fell apart.
The Ducks are currently mired in a three-game losing streak in which they have been outscored 20-8. They are currently more than 20 points behind the pace needed to make the playoffs. They had won four of their previous five matches prior to the slide, but they have been given a healthy dose of humility as better teams have started to step up their game.
Anaheim has struggled to get off to good starts in games. In the first period of their game against Buffalo, the Ducks were outshot 19-3. That actually makes it all the more impressive that they were able to maintain a lead just past the game’s halfway point. In the first period of the last three games, the Ducks have been outshot by a combined score of 56-16.
Anaheim D Cam Fowler scored twice and assisted on the goal that gave the Ducks a brief 3-2 lead in the second period against Buffalo. He and the rest of the Ducks will need to be on their game tonight if they are to have a chance against the Kings. Los Angeles has owned this series going 7-2-1 SU in the last ten games against Anaheim.
The Kings have won four of the last five against the Ducks and four of the last five when on the road against Anaheim. The Ducks are 1-4 SU in their last five games and 2-5 SU in their last seven against the Kings.
The Over is trending for both teams. The total has gone Over in five of the Kings’ last six games. For Anaheim, the Over has hit in 13 of its last 16 games. The Over is 6-1 in the Ducks’ last seven home games. Interestingly, in the series between these two teams, the O/U record in the last ten games is 2-7-1.
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