NHL Playoffs – LA vs Anaheim Picks
So-Cal Throwdown – Kings and Ducks in Second Round of NHL Playoffs
It’s been quite a year for California hockey – the Sharks were very good and now the Kings and the Ducks will meet to see who plays for the Western Conference Championship when they kick off their second round series Saturday.
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ODDS TO WIN 2013-14 STANLEY CUP
Los Angeles Kings 8/1
Anaheim Ducks 7/1
Odds to win the 2013-14 Western Conference
- Los Angeles Kings 13/5
- Anaheim Ducks 5/2
Kings Series Prices -120
Ducks Series Prices +100
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The Kings certainly have momentum after becoming the fourth team in NHL history to complete a comeback from a 3-0 series deficit with a 5-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 of their Western Conference First Round series Wednesday.
The Ducks dispatched the Starts in six games and have been off since Sunday.
The Kings have the single biggest difference maker in the series – Jonathan Quick. Quick allowed 16 goals in the first three games against the Sharks then allowed five goals in the final four games of the series to one of the most high-powered offenses in the game.
Quick looks more like a Conn Smythe Trophy winner 3-0-0 with a 0.67 GAA and .979 save percentage in the last three games against San Jose. He is exactly what the Kings need.
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The Kings offense was surprisingly good in Round 1 – 26 goals in the seven games. A subtle tweak of the line sparked the offense and they delivered even in the games they lost. Anze Kopitar finished with four goals and seven points in the four wins – he and Justin Williams were the best forwards for LA in the series.
Williams and Dustin Brown have four points in two games, Tyler Toffoli has five points in five games, Marian Gaborik has five points in five games and Drew Doughty has three points in the last two games.
Just as impressive, the forward lines managed to make the likes of Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture seem invisible.
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Defensively, the Kings are still one of the top units in the game. Anchored by Jonathan Quick, they defense has been stout – they neutralized what was a very good Sharks defense and chipped in offensively as well.
The Anaheim Ducks got a bit of a scare in Round 1 – the Stars were able to score some goals and make things interesting. Perhaps the biggest concern has to be the goals against. Dallas scored 18 goals in the six games – San Jose’s defense and goaltending was exposed a little bit.
Frederik Andersen was the surprise starter for the Ducks and went 1-1-0 with a 4.32 GAA and .863 save percentage in his last three starts!
The defense can be covered up a bit when you have guys like Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on your team. Each had seven points in the series and Getzlaf missed one game with an upper body injury. Anaheim scored 21 goals in the series and seemingly everybody got in on the act.
Teemu Selanne had two points in the last two games, Patrick Maroon and Andrew Cogliano had three points in three games and the defense was active all series long in the offensive zone.
Dave’s NHL Series Prediction:
The Kings look like a team on a mission – eerily similar to the team that won it all a couple of seasons ago. In their Cup winning year the Kings dominated everybody along the way to the Championship – similar to what they did to the Sharks in the final four games of Round 1.
The Kings look every bit the favorite to come out of the West – it is hard to imagine anyone winning four out of seven against Los Angeles right now.
Free NHL Pick:
The Kings to win in six games
