Trent Reinsmith
- Date & Location: Tuesday, November 30 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
- Game Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: Bally Sports West (BSW), Ballsy Sports SoCal (BSSC), Bally Sports San Diego (BSSD)
The Anaheim Ducks look to break out of a slump when they face the Los Angeles Kings for the first of four meetings during the 2021-22 NHL season. Anaheim started the season on a 2-6 run. The team then won its next eight games. However, the tide has once again turned against the Ducks, who are on a 1-4 run heading into Tuesday’s game against the Kings. The Ducks are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Kings (9-8-3) have had a similar start to the Ducks this year. Los Angeles opened the current campaign with a record of 1-6 before the team went on a seven-game winning streak. That streak ended on November 13 with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Kings are currently on a 1-5 run and coming off a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators.
Before we dig into the Anaheim vs. Los Angeles matchup, check out the best NHL betting sites and our guide to betting on the 2022 Stanley Cup.
Anaheim Ducks Analysis
The Ducks are one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL this season with 70 goals scored. Anaheim’s power play has scored 18 of those goals for an effectiveness of 27.69 percent, which is good enough for fourth best in the NHL. On defense, the Ducks have struggled. The team has allowed the 12th most goals in the league with 60. The team’s penalty kill is operating at a solid 86.89 percent, which is good enough for seventh in the league.
The team’s goaltending is in the top-10 in goals against average at 2.73 and the club’s save percentage is top five at .916 percent.
Super Swede @HampeLindholm 👏👏#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/coAgiyhpvY
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) November 29, 2021
Anaheim has two players in the top-25 in league scoring. Troy Terry leads the team with 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists). Ryan Getzlaf is second in team scoring with 20 points (1G, 19A). Terry has already eclipsed his previous season’s high in scoring. Last season he contributed 20 points (7G, 13A) in 48 games with the Ducks.
John Gibson has played 17 games in net for the Ducks. His record stands at 9-6-2. Gibson has a GAA of 2.61 and a SV% of .917. He has one shutout this season.
Los Angeles Kings Analysis
The Kings have struggled on offense this year. With 52 total goals, the team ranks 25th in scoring. The team’s power play is right in the middle of the league at 16th with a success rate of 18.57 percent. Los Angeles has been sound on defense, only allowing 54 goals, which puts them ahead of 24 other teams in the league. However, a minus two in overall scoring is not a good thing to have. The Kings have fared poorly on the penalty kill and our operating at a 77.55 percent rate while down a man.
The team’s goaltending is solid with a 2.70 GAA and a .911 SV%.
For your viewing pleasure – @Arthur_Kaliyev widens the lead! pic.twitter.com/4U4TPV52Yv
— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 28, 2021
Los Angeles has one player with more than 20 points on the season. That player is Anze Kopitar. Kopitar has 21 points (8G, 13A). The second highest scorer on the club is Alex Iafallo, who has 13 points (6G, 7A).
Jonathan Quick has played 11 games in goal for the Kings (4-5-2). He has a 2.25 GAA and a .933 SV%. Quick has one shutout this season.
Trends
Los Angeles is 2-4 in their past six games vs. Anaheim.
Anaheim are 5-2 in their past seven games against a Western Conference foe.
The Kings are 1-4 in their past five home games.
Anaheim is 3-4-2 on the road this season.
Los Angeles is 6-5-1 at home this season.
MyTopSportsbook’s Final Pick
The big news ahead of this game is that Drew Doughty is expected to return to action for the Kings. Doughty is a team leader. He has not played since October 22 and his presence on the ice for the Kings will make a huge difference. I expect Doughty to provide the emotional boost the team needs at home to get the win.
Pick Los Angeles to win.
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