Anaheim Ducks - Los Angeles Kings predictions and free betting tips [10/04/2024]

The Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings square off tomorrow morning in an NHL regular-season match.

Los Angeles Kings

Showing a resurging performance this season, the Los Angeles Kings have secured a commendable 93 points with a track record of 41-25-11. An impressive contender in the Pacific division, the team has proved a solid opponent after triumphing in three consecutive games, including a 6:3 showdown against the Vancouver Canucks. This triumphant streak has allowed the Kings to actively compete for a high position in their division, currently leading the St. Louis Blues by six points and sitting at the second spot in the Western Conference. Adrian Kempe has emerged as the team's linchpin, accumulating 71 points, including 27 goals and 44 assists, and continues his enviable performance from the last five games, amassing eight points.

The Kings also stand out in away games with a record of 22-14-4, and they are geared up to maintain this winning streak against the Anaheim Ducks. Cam Talbot, particularly, put up a stellar performance against the Canucks, thwarting 39 out of 42 shots, and is likely to adorn the crease in the next match. The Kings' average statistics reveal they score 3.12 goals per game, capitalising on 22.6% of their power-play chances, signifying their high-performance and efficacy on the ice. The Kings' defence, letting in an average of 2.57 goals per game, ranks fourth in the league, making them one of the most formidable collectives in the NHL.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks, bearing 55 points (25-48-5), are not having a victorious run this season, grappling with challenges since the get-go, including a recent overtime loss to the St Louis Blues with a score 5:6. Despite trailing 3:5 with 12 minutes left in the third period, Frank Vatrano and Leo Carlson managed to even the score - this proved the team's tenacity. Anaheim confronts formidable issues in defence and penalty kill, suffering one of the worst statistics in the NHL when it comes to conceding goals (3.62 per game) and a meagre 72.5% successful penalty killing attempts.

These defensive drawbacks have been increasingly evident in recent matches, where they often find themselves short-handed. Anaheim's goaltending remains questionable due to the injury of their main goaltender, John Gibson. Despite battling adversities, the "Ducks" showcase combativeness and persistence, especially in the offence, where Frank Vatrano and Leo Carlson make significant contributions. Their average attack statistics are 2.46 goals per game with an 18.1% power-play success rate - one of their few brighter spots in a challenging season.

Head to Head

In the last five matches between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks, the Kings have outplayed their counterpart in four instances. Their last match on 25 February 2024 saw the Kings claim an overtime victory with a score of 3:2, following their firm win with a 5:2 score on 24 November 2023. In October and September, the teams met thrice: the Kings emerged victorious with a 4:1 outcome on 4 Oct, another win with a 4:3 score on 30 September, whereas the Ducks celebrated their lone win out of these five encounters with a 3:2 overtime victory on 25 September.

Prediction for the Anaheim Ducks - Los Angeles Kings match

The "Kings" have nearly guaranteed a playoff spot with three consecutive victories. Their successful streak would need to be reinforced in this match against one of the league's weakest teams. I'm betting on another win for the Kings.