ANAHEIM DUCKS @ LOS ANGELES KINGS
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011, 10:30PM US
(3:30AM GMT)

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PREVIEW

The Anaheim Ducks are 6-8-1-2 and struggling hard. The California outfit have scored a mere 35 goals this season, 2nd worst in the NHL, and come into this match against their state rivals riding a 2-4-1-2 away record. I don't see them ending a 5 game away losing streak here tonight, despite their recent success against the Kings, who they have beaten the last 3 times they have met.

The LA Kings will want to stop that run of losing to the lowly Ducks, and in front of their home fans, that motivation gets raised. The Kings are 8-6-1-2 for the season, slightly better than their opponents, and have an encouraging 5-4-0-1 mark at home.

Anze Kopitar will be a man to keep an eye on tonight as the Kings player leads the team in goals, assists and points. In each category, he is better than the Ducks best player. I can certainly see him adding to his 8 goals and 21 assists, which will raise the 21 points he has accumulated so far. The reason for this is the man between the pipes for the Ducks.

Dan Ellis looks like he might not be able to play for the Ducks, as he has a groin problem. Good thing too, as he owns a 7-1-0 record against the LA Kings. In his place comes Jonas Hiller, and he does not look reliable at all. Hiller is 0-4-0 in his career against the Kings and this change in personnel is enough to make me decide.

BETTING VERDICT

Again, I'm going to go with a regulation time win at good odds. Take the Kings to pick up a win here, quite possibly by more than 1 thanks to the weak link between the Ducks pipes.

The Pick :

Los Angeles Kings

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take the LA Kings -0.5 (regulation) @ 2.08 (Pinnacle)