Kings vs Ducks Playoff Betting?
Kings Look to Take Stranglehold Back to Staples Center
We all knew that Game 1 between the Kings and the Ducks would be tight and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Marian Gaborik’s goal with seven seconds left in Regulation and then his goal at 12:07 of the first OT period gave the Kings their fifth straight postseason win.
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Los Angeles (50-30-3-6) at Anaheim (58-22-2-6)
Los Angeles (51-30-3-6) at Anaheim (58-22-3-6)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Monday, May 5, 2014
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: RDS, TSN, NBCSN
Kings lead series 1-0
Kings vs. Ducks Betting Lines
Los Angeles Kings +1½ -275 +114 Ov 5 -111
Anaheim Ducks -1½ +230 -126 Un 5 +101
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The Ducks were seven seconds away from a Game 1 win and had their chances to win in Overtime but good old Jonathan Quick shut them down. The teams get back at it Monday night – for the Ducks it is a critical game – for the Kings, it could mean a shorter than expected series. Game 2 is critical – who will show up in Monday’s So-Cal Throwdown?
The Los Angeles Kings have prided themselves on defense for years now and it was in full display in Game 1 Saturday night. After shutting down he high powered Sharks in the last round the Kings held the Ducks to just two goals. That’s the good news. Now for the bad – the Kings could be without two of their top six defensemen Monday night – Robyn Regehr and Willie Mitchell are questionable.
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Mitchell did not play in Game 1, and Regehr was injured in Game 1, Two key cogs in what the Kings hope to do night-in and night-out could be missing – not a good sign for Los Angeles.
But if there was any time for a couple of D-Men to go down, perhaps now is the time – when the Kings are enjoying some stellar offensive play. The Kings are tied for second among the 16 playoff teams at 3.62 goals per game – seemingly everyone is Hot heading into Game 2.
Anze Kopitar, the playoff leader in points has four goals and 10 points in his past five games, Marian Gaborik has four points in two games after two huge goals Saturday night, Justin Williams and Drew Doughty each have four points in their last three games and guys like Tanner Pearson is chipping in with two points in two games.
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Alec Martinez has four points in five games and Jake Muzzin has two points in his last three games.
Then there is Jonathan Quick who is All-World right now. He is 4-0-0 with a 0.96 GAA and .969 save percentage over that span. If anyone can make up for the potential absence of some key defensemen – it is arguably the game’s best – Jonathan Quick.
LAs Special Teams continue to be Special as well – Los Angeles has scored a power-play goal in each of its last six games (7-for-24) and killed all 19 short-handed situations in the last four contests.
The Anaheim Ducks certainly could have won Saturday night but they were unable to bury their chances. Everyone on the Ducks acknowledged the importance of converting – the Kings and specifically Quick don’t give up much.
The Ducks were the better team throughout long stretches of Game 1 and Jonas Hiller surprisingly provided some superb goaltending for a Ducks team that was desperate for one of their keepers to step up.
There is little worry about Anaheim’s offense – they, as mentioned just have to bury their chances and with a depleted Kings defense – expect the Ducks to shine. Ryan Getzlaf has seven points in his past five games, Corey Perry has five points in three games, Teemu Selanne has three points in two games, Patrick Maroon has four points in four games and Andrew Cogliano has three points in four games.
Translation – the Ducks are deep, they are talented and they are dangerous.
Jonas Hiller appears to be the answer to Anaheim’s sketchy goaltending situation. He is now 1-1-0 with a 1.58 GAA and .939 save percentage in three appearances this postseason. Not stellar numbers but good enough when you posess an offense like the Ducks do.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Over is 6-1-2 in LA last 9 overall.
• Over is 6-1-2 in LA last 9 vs. Pacific.
• Over is 6-1-2 in LA last 9 vs. Western Conference.
• Under is 9-3-1 in ANA last 13 Mon. games.
• ANA are 22-8 in their last 30 vs. Pacific.
• ANA are 43-18 in their last 61 Mon. games.
My guess is that the injury situation for the Kings plays a role in Monday night’s game. The Ducks will bring their high powered offense into a critical game against a LA team that is missing two key pieces. Take Anaheim to make this series interesting.
Pick: Anaheim Ducks -126
