Thursday Night Hockey: Ducks vs Kings Prediction, Pick & Betting Odds

• The Los Angeles Kings are a -345 moneyline favorite over the Anaheim Ducks on ESPN+ Thursday
• Los Angeles is battling to secure second place in the Pacific Division while Anaheim has been eliminated from postseason contention
• See my Ducks vs Kings prediction with odds below

Two teams that have had vastly different years square off Thursday, as the NHL regular season nears its end. The LA Kings, who have their sights set on winning the 2025 Stanley Cup, have already clinched a playoff berth. Their California rivals in Anaheim cannot say the same, as they’ve been eliminated from the postseason for the seventh straight season.

The Ducks (35-35-8, 78 points, 6th in Pacific) visit the Kings (44-24-9, 97 points, 2nd in Pacific) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Online sportsbooks are bullish on the Kings in the NHL odds, installing them as favorites.

Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00pm ET/7pm PT, with ESPN+/Disney+/Hulu providing the broadcast coverage in the United States.

Ducks vs Kings Prediction

• Under 5.5 goals (-102) on DraftKings

The Los Angeles Kings are peaking at the right time, as they’ve been on a torrid stretch with 13 wins in their last 17 contests. They’ve been especially great at keeping the puck out of their own net, allowing two or fewer goals in 14 of the last 18 outings.

Their fantastic stretch has allowed them to move into second in the Pacific Division, where they will almost assuredly face the Oilers in the postseason for the fourth straight year. If they’re able to hold onto their grip in second, it’ll be the first time they’ve had home-ice advantage over their Pacific Division rivals, as LA has secured third in the division the last three campaigns.

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper has been fantastic, ranking second in GAA (2.03) and save percentage (.922) among qualified goaltenders. He hasn’t surrendered more than two goals in 14 straight starts, racking up three shutouts during that span.

Even though the Ducks are eliminated from the postseason for the seventh straight time, they’ve turned a corner, and with one more victory, they’ll secure their most wins in a season since 2017-18. They haven’t been on a roll, but have played relatively inspired hockey, with six wins in their last ten duels. Cutter Gauthier has sniped twice in each of his last two games, with the Ducks winning both, including a late two-goal deficit turned victory Wednesday against Calgary, that saw Gauthier score the OT winner.

On the campaign, the Kings are second second-best in goals allowed per battle, while the Ducks are 22nd. Both teams are in the bottom half in goal scoring, with LA 19th and Anaheim 27th.

Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings vs Odds

The Ducks vs Kings odds show a total of 5.5 goals, with -118 odds to the over 5.5 goal total. Los Angeles is listed as a -345 moneyline favorite, and are -125 to cover the puck line of 1.5 goals. The -345 odds on the moneyline represents a win probability of 77.53% for Los Angeles.

Our SBD model believes it’ll shape up to be a 3.45-2.78 battle, won by the Kings, according to the formula. It has the Ducks covering the +1.5 spread, and it going over 5.5 goals.

Odds as of April 10th at DraftKings. Check out SBD’s DraftKings Sportsbook review to see the available sign-up bonuses.

The Kings didn’t have Norris Trophy-winning blueliner Drew Doughty (ankle) last game. He reportedly is skating on his own at morning practice, but no word on whether he’ll lace them up tonight. Likely, the team leading point getter Adrian Kempe won’t be available, as he left the team for personal reasons following the birth of his daughter. Anaheim has only had goaltender John Gibson for five of their last 23 games.

The starting goalies haven’t been confirmed, so there’s a chance the Kings will rest their stud netminder in Darcy Kuemper. If that’s the case, then hitting the under 5.5 goal total won’t be as easy. However, I believe in the Kings stout defensive system, and think they can suffocate the Ducks. In their last six meetings, the two clubs have combined to go under the 5.5 goal total, so I’m selecting that yet again.

Thursday night hockey is set to be an exciting matchup as the Anaheim Ducks take on the Los Angeles Kings. Both teams are coming off of strong performances in their previous games, making this game a must-watch for hockey fans.

The Ducks have been on a hot streak lately, winning four of their last five games. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders, with players like Ryan Getzlaf and Adam Henrique leading the charge. Their defense has also been solid, with goaltender John Gibson putting up impressive numbers between the pipes.

On the other hand, the Kings have been struggling as of late, losing three of their last five games. However, they have shown flashes of brilliance, with players like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty stepping up when it matters most. Their goaltending has been a bit shaky, but Jonathan Quick has the ability to steal a game at any moment.

In terms of betting odds, the Ducks are currently favored to win this matchup. They have been playing with confidence and have the momentum on their side. However, the Kings are a resilient team and could easily pull off an upset if they bring their A-game.

When it comes to making a prediction for this game, it’s tough to say for sure. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and anything can happen in hockey. However, based on recent performances and overall team talent, the Ducks seem to have the edge in this matchup.

In terms of a pick, I would lean towards the Ducks to come out on top in this game. They have been playing well as of late and have the firepower to outscore the Kings. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Kings put up a fight and make it a close game.

Overall, Thursday night hockey between the Ducks and Kings is shaping up to be an exciting matchup. With both teams hungry for a win, fans can expect a fast-paced and intense game on the ice. Whether you’re a Ducks or Kings fan, this game is sure to be a thrilling one to watch.