Los Angeles Kings capable of stunning Anaheim Ducks – NHL Preview
Anaheim Ducks are strong on home ice, but they should know all the tricks of the trade if they want to qualify for the playoffs of the National Hockey League (NHL) current season.
Unfortunately, they have been poor on road lately and have badly hurt their playoff chances. However, they are going to play their next game on home ice and can look to gain some momentum.
Los Angeles Kings have more chances of reaching the playoffs than Ducks and the former even is capable of beating the latter on their home ice.
The matchup will take place on Friday, March 16, 2012, at Honda Center, Anaheim, California.
Let’s have a look at both teams.
Ducks
They have played seven games this season and won three of them.
In their last game, Ducks defeated Detroit Red Wings to snap their three-game losing streak. The victory was emphatic as Ducks’ goaltender, Jonas Hiller, earned a shutout.
Ducks scored three goals in the second period and one in the final to win the game.
Kyle Palmieri, who scored two goals in the game, said:
"The confidence definitely feels good. Hopefully, going forward, I can keep making an impact on the game and help this team put together a nice win streak.”
Ducks are ranked at 12th spot in the Western Conference with 71 points after 71 games.
Kings
Kings are ranked just above the Ducks with 78 points after 70 games and are just three points behind the eighth-ranked Colorado Avalanche.
Kings have won four out of six games played this month and are currently on a two-game winning streak with the victories coming against Chicago Blackhawks (3-2 after shootout) and Detroit Red Wings (5-2).
Against Red Wings, Kings scored two goals in the first period to gain a solid advantage. They scored one goal while conceding one in the next period. In the final period, Kings added two more goals and Red Wings could only score one goal.
Kings’ captain, Dustin Brown, said after the game:
"We have to take care of our own game. But with the way it is and the amount of games left, you always scoreboard-watch just because it's so tight. Ultimately, we have to win games for us to have a chance, and that's our main priority. Afterward, you have
to worry about what happened around the league."
Predictions
Kings have an edge.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might exceed six.
If Ducks win, the winning margin will be two or more goals.
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