Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in head-to-head matchups. Today, we preview the Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings. Check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings
Head to Head: Anaheim Ducks 0 – 2 Los Angeles Kings
Time: 10:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: FDSNW; Victory+; KCOP-13; ESPN+
The Ducks (23-24-6) will head 30 minutes up the 5 freeway to take on the Kings (29-17-6) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, on February 8, 2025. This is the third of four meetings between the bitter arch-rivals. Los Angeles won the previous two matchups, both in Anaheim on October 20 and November 29, 4 – 1 and 2 – 1 respectively. The Kings have had the Ducks number in recent years including winning the only playoff meeting between the two Southern California teams. Anaheim is 4-15-1 in their last 20 games against the Kings. Not much of a rivalry.
Los Angeles Kings Fighting to Stay in Playoff Spot
For a team in the thick of a tight playoff race, the Kings are looking for consistency. They are only five points away from being outside the playoff picture looking in and are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, barely holding onto the three-seed in the tight Pacific Division. However, those four wins are over quality opponents like the Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and Vancouver Canucks.
This season has been a coming-out party for some of Los Angeles’ young stars like Brandt Clarke and Quinton Byfield. Byfield leads the Kings with six points in their previous five games. However, the “AK Brothers” as probably no one refers to them, Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar lead the team in points with 44 each. The Kings also have two solid goaltenders, Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich. Rittich started last night against Dallas, so look for Kuemper to get the start against Anaheim with his 2.19 goals against average and .919 save percentage.
Ducks’ Hopes Hang by a Thread
If Al Michaels were on the call, he may have asked “Do you believe in miracles?” again. The Ducks won only their second game this season when scoring less than three goals when they beat the Dallas Stars 2 -1 on Tuesday. Anaheim’s goals came from Cutter Gauthier and Trevor Zegras, perhaps the two players Ducks fans want to see score most right now along with Leo Carlsson. Mason McTavish still leads the team with four goals and five points in the team’s previous five games. Troy Terry still holds the team lead in points with 39. Don’t look now, but the Ducks are only 3.5 games back from the last wild card spot.
Fans won’t be getting their hopes up just yet, but close that gap to half a game or less, and hope may begin creeping back in. A lot of the burden has and will continue to rest on the shoulders of John Gibson and Lukas Dostal. Gibson did very well against Dallas and with four full days of rest, expect him to get the start again. Gibson has a 2.69 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this season.
Prediction
The Kings have dominated this matchup in recent history, but Anaheim comes in with momentum after a gritty win over Dallas. Expect a tight, defensive battle with both teams struggling to generate offense at even strength. The Ducks strike first, with Frank Vatrano finishing a slick passing play, but the Kings respond with a power-play goal from Adrian Kempe. A late third-period goal from Quinton Byfield forces overtime, where Alex Laferriere buries the game-winner on a 2-on-1 rush. The Kings escape with two crucial points, while Anaheim settles for a hard-fought one.
Prediction: Kings win 3 -2 (OT)
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out our NHL Predictions for the Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings with some of our preferred prop bets of the night. Take a look at both Laferriere (+250) and Frank Vatrano (+260) anytime goals. Odds courtesy of FanDuel. Record this season (6-15).
Note: Always check the latest team news and player statuses before placing any bets, as injuries and other factors can influence game outcomes.
Main photo by: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: February 8 Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.