Kings vs Ducks Playoff Betting?
A Fitting Conclusion – Kings and Ducks Play Game 7 Friday
The Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks will play a deciding game in their second round playoff series Friday night with a trip to the Western Final against Chicago on the line. Despite some serious momentum swings in the six games, each team has scored 13 goals – razor close.
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Los Angeles (53-33-3-6) at Anaheim (61-24-3-6)
When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, May 16, 2014
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: RDS, TSN, NBCSN
Series tied 3-3
In Canada? Try Pinnacle Sportsbook
Kings vs. Ducks Betting Lines
Los Angeles Kings +1½ -315 +102 Ov 5 +111
Anaheim Ducks -1½ +265 -113 Un 5 -122
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After the home team lost the first four games of the series, home ice has finally turned into an advantage the last two games. Will it be the favored Ducks that move on or will it be the Kings that advance to the Western Final for a rematch with the Blackhawks? Let’s break it down.
The Los Angeles Kings can say something that many teams can’t – they are still alive after two-three game losing streaks in the playoffs. After losing the first three against San Jose, they reeled off six straight wins.
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After three losses against Anaheim, they came out and played a terrific game to tie the series. The Kings have been a Jekyll and Hyde team so far in the playoffs – a tad difficult to figure out.
The Kings enter Game 7 with plenty of experience and more than their share of success in deciding games. Mike Richards, Marian Gaborik and Justin Williams are all 5-0 in a Game 7 in their NHL careers, while Jeff Carter is 3-0. Williams, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, has scored five Game 7 goals.
Gaborik has been playing well – three points in two games, Justin Williams has two points in his last two games and Trevor Lewis has scored in back-to-back games – he is the latest unlikely hero in the series.
There are some struggling Kings heading into Game 7 however – Dustin Brown has just one point in four games, Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli are pointless in four games and Drew Doughty hasn’t registered a point in five games!
And then there is Jonathan Quick – possibly the biggest difference maker on both teams as we near Friday night’s deciding game. He played well Wednesday night and looks to be back to form. Still, his recent numbers aren’t all that impressive – 1-3-1 with a 3.05 GAA and .873 save percentage in his last four games played.
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The Anaheim Ducks shouldn’t need a whole lot of motivation for Friday night’s game but the Teemu Selanne factor is certainly evident. Everyone wants to “win one for Teemu” who has said that this playoff run will be his last. Selanne has been very good in the series after being declared a healthy scratch – we know he will do his part.
Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf will do his part as well – he has seven points in the series, including at least one in every game except for Game 6. Along with Corey Perry Getzlaf looks every bit the elite player we all expect. Devante Smith-Pelly has been the biggest beneficiary from playing with the power duo – he has three points in his last three games.
Like the Kings the Ducks have a few struggling players they will need to step up if they hope to move on. Andrew Cogliano has two points in six games, Patrick Maroon in pointless in three games and Cam, Fowler hasn’t hit the score sheet in four games. Despite looking good Corey Perry has just three assists in the series and Mathieu Perrault has just one assist so far.
The Ducks will go with John Gibson between the pipes again Friday – it has to bite them in the butt some time doesn’t it? Gibson is 2-1 in the playoffs with a terrific 1.69 GAA and stellar .946 save percentage.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• LA are 7-1 in their last 8 Fri. games.
• LA are 17-5 in their last 22 games following a win.
• LA are 7-3 in their last 10 vs. Pacific.
• ANA are 25-10 in their last 35 vs. Pacific.
• ANA are 12-5 in their last 17 Fri. games.
• ANA are 51-23 in their last 74 home games.
• Under is 7-2-3 in the last 12 meetings.
• Road team is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.
The Los Angeles Kings are 6-1 in elimination games over the past two years (they are 5-0 this year when facing elimination) while Ducks Coach Bruce Bourdeau is just 1-4 career in Game 7s. Translation – the Kings won’t be intimidated in Game 7 – they have already won twice in the series in the Ducks building.
This is truly the Kings time of year – their immense playoff experience and the luxury of having Jonathan Quick patrolling the crease will be the deciding factor. Prepare for a rematch of last year’s Western Final.
Pick: Los Angeles Kings +102
