The Los Angeles Kings (44-24-9) are set to host the Anaheim Ducks (35-35-8) in a Pacific Division clash at Crypto.com Arena at 10:00 PM ET on Thursday, April 10, 2025. This rivalry marks their fourth and final meeting of the season, with the Kings holding the upper hand in two of the first three games. With both teams contending under different circumstances, tonight’s matchup presents contrasting narratives.
Anaheim Ducks: Fighting Against Adversity
The Anaheim Ducks approach this game on the second night of a back-to-back after narrowly defeating the Calgary Flames in overtime by a score of 4-3. Cutter Gauthier shined in their latest win, netting two goals as the team snapped a short losing streak. Though the Ducks recently upset contenders like the Edmonton Oilers, their offensive struggles remain a persistent theme, ranking 26th in the league with just 2.69 goals per game.
Goaltender Lukas Dostal has been pivotal for Anaheim, amassing 45 saves against the Oilers earlier this week. While Dostal has been solid this season with a .905 save percentage, fatigue could be a factor after consecutive starts, and backup Ville Husso may see action. Anaheim holds a 12th-place standing in the Western Conference, leaving little at stake besides pride as the season winds down.
Los Angeles Kings: Eyeing the Playoffs
The Kings, currently second in the Pacific Division, come off a rare stumble—a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken that snapped a four-game winning streak. Despite the setback, Los Angeles boasts one of the league’s stoutest defenses, allowing a mere 2.44 goals per game, the second-lowest mark in the NHL. Darcy Kuemper has been the backbone of this success, with an outstanding 2.03 GAA, a .922 save percentage, and five shutouts this season.
Offensively, the Kings are spearheaded by dynamic players like Adrian Kempe (33 goals, 31 assists) and Anze Kopitar (19 goals, 43 assists). While they’ve historically struggled on special teams, their defensive consistency and balanced scoring options make them strong contenders to secure home-ice advantage in the playoffs. With stakes high to maintain their second-place divisional position, the Kings are anticipated to bring intensity to this encounter.
What to Expect
This clash highlights two teams in contrasting spots: the playoff-bound Kings aim to solidify their seeding, while the Ducks, despite recent improvements, are fighting simply to finish strong. Anaheim’s victory in their February meeting via a shootout provides some confidence, but Los Angeles holds a clear upper hand overall with dominant performances at home—winning 29 of 38 games.
Prediction
Considering Anaheim’s defensive reliance on goaltending and the Kings’ outstanding ability to suppress goals, this game is likely to follow a low-scoring pattern. The Kings are well-positioned to capitalize on Anaheim’s fatigue from recent games and their back-to-back schedule. Expect Los Angeles to control the game and potentially cover the puck line.
Final Prediction: Los Angeles Kings to win, with a total under 5.5 goals.
