The LA Kings (2-1-2) hit the freeway for a crosstown battle against the Anaheim Ducks (2-1-1) at Honda Center in Anaheim Sunday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Kings vs. Ducks odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Kings won 3-1 in 2023-24 in regular-season series
The Kings snapped a 3-game winless streak (0-1-2) with a 4-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. Los Angeles makes the 6th stop of a 7-game road trip to open the season, with the journey wrapping up in Vegas Tuesday. The Kings play their home opener at Crypto.com Arena in L.A. on Thursday.
The Ducks are coming off a 4-3 OTL to the Avalanche in Colorado on Thursday, and they’ve had just a single loss in regulation through 4 outings. That loss came in Vegas on Oct. 13. The Under is 2-1-1 in the 1st 4 outings this season.
The Kings have dominated this series recently, winning 9 of the past 10 meetings since Feb. 25, 2022. L.A. has outscored Anaheim 37-19 during the 10-game span, with the Under cashed in each of the past 3 meetings. The Under is 6-3-1 in the past 10 meetings, too.
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Kings at Ducks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 6:57 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kings -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Ducks +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kings -1.5 (+135) | Ducks +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Kings at Ducks projected goalies
David Rittich (1-1-0, 3.25 GAA, .878 SV%) vs. Lukas Dostal (2-0-1, 2.64 GAA, .927 SV%, 1 SO)
Rittich allowed 4 goals on 14 shots in Toronto Wednesday, and he was yanked midway through the 2nd period. Bench boss Jim Hiller went right back to him Thursday in Montreal, and Rittich shined with 26 saves on 27 shots in a 4-1 win.
Dostal blanked the San Jose Sharks last Saturday in a 30-save shutout, but he has allowed 4 goals in each of his past 2 starts which went to overtime. He has split those 2 games in OT, stopping the Utah Hockey Club Wednesday, while losing in Colorado Friday last time out. He made 45 saves against the Avalanche, however.
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Kings at Ducks picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 3, Ducks 2
Moneyline
The KINGS (-175) are a little on the pricey side, but worth playing in this rivalry game.
Los Angeles has won 9 of the past 10 meetings, including 5 of the past 6 skates at Honda Center since Feb. 25, 2022.
The Ducks (+145) have played a lot of close games, including overtime battles in each of the past 2, so if you back Los Angeles, expect to sweat it out to the bitter end.
Puck line/Against the spread
The DUCKS +1.5 (-160) are worth a look if you’re a little on the conservative side. All 4 games for Anaheim have been decided by 2 or fewer goals, with 2 games going to overtime.
The Kings -1.5 (+135) won and covered their only Game as a favorite on the puck line, and they’re 3-1 in the past 4 trips to Anaheim on the puck line when favored. Still, it’s a little hard to trust Rittich.
Over/Under
UNDER 6 (-115) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play.
Anaheim has hit low on the total at a 2-1-1 clip, scoring 3 or fewer goals in 3 of its 4 games to date.
Los Angeles has allowed 2 or fewer goals in 3 of 5 outings, cashing low 3 times. The Kings have scored 3 or fewer goals in 3 of 5 games, too.
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