Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings

The Ducks come into this Freeway Faceoff red-hot and on a dominant two-game win streak, while the Kings are coming off a Loss to the Kraken. Anaheim’s young core, including Mason McTavish and Trevor Zegras, has shown flashes, but they’ve historically floundered against Los Angeles’ structured defensive shell—John Gibson owns a 1-6-1 record in his last eight vs the Kings. With the Kings looking to lock up a higher playoff seed and the Ducks staring at early tee times, this has all the signs of another regulation win for the Crown Town crew. That said, at -365, the value is minimal and offers little upside without parlaying. Recommended as a light confidence single-bet play or as a parlay anchor, but with careful risk assessment. Grade: C. Odds and availability are subject to change.

The Kings' top line has been red-hot lately, and Kevin Fiala enters Thursday's matchup riding a five-game point streak, while Anže Kopitar continues to lead with veteran consistency. LA has won 4 of its last 5 games and is still battling for playoff seeding with Vegas in the Pacific Division, giving them every reason to stay aggressive offensively. The Ducks, on the other hand, might be out of playoff contention but are still getting solid production from Trevor Zegras and Leo Carlsson. Anaheim has won back-to-back games, and unlike earlier this season, they’re actually netting goals—a welcome shift despite being without Mason McTavish due to an upper-body injury. John Gibson’s inconsistency in net has plagued the Quack Attack all year, and with the Kings averaging 3.1 goals at home, this matchup leans toward fireworks. These teams played into a 6+ goal total three of the last four meetings, and with both sides trending in polar-opposite directions but playing loose, it wouldn’t be surprising to see another open-ice duel. This is a solid value bet with reasonable risk, so we’re taking the Over 5.5 with a B grade based on current form, goalies, and playoff urgency.

With the Quack Attack mathematically eliminated from playoff contention and icing a depleted roster with top scorer Troy Terry isn't a good look. The Kings, with postseason aspirations still very much alive, are expected to lean heavily on Adrian Kempe, who’s tallied 6 points in his last five games and torched Anaheim for 11 goals in their last eight meetings. L.A.'s aggressive forecheck and stingy defense, anchored by Drew Doughty and an elite penalty kill, should expose the Ducks’ young, mistake-prone blue line, especially at home where the Kings boast a 29-5-4 record. Anaheim continues to struggle generating offense, and going up against a confident Darcy Keumper—who owns a 0..921 SV% in his last five games versus the Ducks—makes a blowout feel likely. With the Kings covering the puckline in four of the last five matchups against Anaheim, there's solid betting value in backing them again to win by two or more. That said, given the modest payout and late-season unpredictability, this pick earns a respectable B+.