NHL Odds, Pick, Prediction: Kings vs. Ducks (April 19)

Kings vs. Ducks Odds

We have a Pacific Division tilt, as the third-place Los Angeles Kings make the short trip to Anaheim to take on the sixth-place Ducks.

This is the third meeting between these two teams this season, as the Kings won the last matchup, 4-1, back at the end of February.

Will we see another low-scoring affair between these two teams, or will we see more goals this time around?

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Will Quick Continue Solid Play?

The Los Angeles Kings enter this contest following Saturday's 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Saturday's win was yet another low-scoring affair for the Kings, as there have been five or fewer total goals scored in five of their last eight games.

Jonathan Quick is the projected starting goaltender for the Kings in this matchup and has been performing well between the pipes recently. Over his last nine starts, Quick boasts a 0.909 save percentage.

This season, Quick ranks sixth amongst starting goaltenders in five-on-five goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx). In his two starts against Anaheim this season, Quick has stopped 56 of 61 shots for an excellent 0.918 save percentage.

Quick should get some good help from his defense in front of him, as the Kings currently rank 13th in the league this season in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA).

On the other hand, Los Angeles' offense has really struggled recently, as the Kings are averaging just 2.7 goals scored per game over their last 10 contests.

Ducks Looking to Pick Up Pace Offensively

Like the Kings, the Anaheim Ducks' offense has really struggled recently. Over their last 14 contests, the Ducks are averaging just 2.57 goals scored per game.

This lack of offensive production should not be a surprise, as the Ducks have struggled to produce high-danger scoring chances all year. This season, the Ducks rank just 19th in the league in five-on-five expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF).

Anthony Stolarz is the projected starting goaltender for this matchup and has been seeing the puck well recently. Over his last five appearances between the pipes, Stolarz boasts an excellent 0.928 save percentage.

In his one outing against the Kings this season, Stolarz stopped all 12 shots he faced in relief for John Gibson.

This is a matchup that has seen many low-scoring games over the past couple of seasons, as there have been five or fewer total goals scored in five of the last seven meetings between these two teams.

Kings vs. Ducks Pick

I like the trend of low-scoring games in this matchup to continue, especially with the two projected starting goaltenders.

If Cal Petersen starts for Los Angeles or Gibson starts for Anaheim, I do not like the play as much, but I am still playing it either way.

The total originally opened at 6 before it quickly dropped to 5.5. While 6 is obviously a better number, I still like this play at 5.5, and that is what I am playing it at with the under at plus money.

Pick: Kings/Ducks u5.5 (+100) | Play up to (-110)