Back at it. With just five games to go, the LA Kings got some help from the most unlikely team in the New Jersey Devils, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 on Monday. With a win in Anaheim tonight, the Kings can extend their lead over Vegas to five points with four games to go.
The Ducks have been eliminated from postseason contention for the fourth consecutive season. Still, they could try to play spoiler against their division rivals.Â
Here’s how the Kings and Ducks match up on paper:
Top scorers:
LAK: Anze Kopitar – 18 goals, 44 assists, 62 points
ANA: Troy Terry – 36 goals, 27 assists, 63 points
Betting Odds
The Kings come into this one as favorites, per our sponsors at DraftKings.
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- Kings Odds: -170
- Ducks Odds: +145
- Over/Under: 5.5
- Time: 7:00 pm PT
- Broadcast Info: ESPN
Projected Lineups
Here’s how the Kings lined up last time out in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Columbus:
Tonight's Lineup from @betwayusa! #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/ksnp3ZzMS5
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 17, 2022
Note that there were no changes to the forward line in Monday’s practice, meaning Quinton Byfield and Gabe Vilardi were in purple jerseys. Both are likely to sit for the second straight game.
The Kings are back on the ice this morning in El Segundo! By jersey color, forward lines looking the same as we saw against Columbus on Saturday.
— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) April 18, 2022
Does Jonathan Quick get a fourth straight start?
Quick: 25-13-9, .911 SV%, 2.40 GAA, and one shutout in 49 career games against Anaheim
Petersen: 1-3-1 .878 SV%, 3.58 GAA in five career games against Anaheim.
Here’s how the Ducks aligned in Sunday’s 6-4 win over Columbus:
Here's who we fly with tonight. #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/KifOVZWIAU
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) April 17, 2022
Troy Terry scored two in that game, and he’s kept up his scoring pace all season long. The 24-year-old has 36 goals and 27 assists in 70 games played. He also has two goals in the two previous matchups against the Kings this year.
John Gibson collected his first win since March 1. Will the Ducks turn to him or Anthony Stolarz?
Ducks win, 6-4. First win for John Gibson since March 1. Next games are home-and-home Tuesday and Saturday against Kings, who are trying to fight off Vegas and get in the 'ol Silver Chalice tournament.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) April 18, 2022
Kings and Ducks get underway from the Ponda at 7:00 pm PT.
(Main photo credit: NHL.com)