Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/19/2022

Time: 10 p.m. ET

Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA

Where to watch: ESPN

DraftKings: Kings -170, Ducks +145

BetMGM: Kings -165, Ducks +140

Caesars: Kings -161, Ducks +140

Kings: 40-27-10

Ducks: 30-33-14

The Los Angeles Kings are in the driver’s seat right now. They control their own destiny. Win a few more games, and you’re going to be in the playoffs in what’s been an unprecedented year for this once-storied franchise.

The schedule is easy enough to make that happen, and the Kings can push their lead further in the Pacific Division should they defeat the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Tuesday in a weekend where both teams are coming off wins over the Columbus Blue Jackets over the weekend.

The Kings got the first crack at the Blue Jackets on Saturday, winning 2-1 behind a strong defensive effort from Los Angeles. Phillip Danault scored a goal for the third straight game (by the way, what a free agent acquisition the former Montreal shutdown center has been from an offensive standpoint) and Jonathan Quick made 21 saves. Not a bad response considering they were blasted 9-3 by the Colorado Avalanche a few nights prior.

"Obviously, the last game, we were not satisfied, not happy, so we had to bounce back, which we did right away in the game," Danault said. "Big two points, and every single game is going to be big until the end, so it's a do or die."

The Kings will have an opportunity to push their lead on the Vegas Golden Knights to five points for third place in the division, especially after the Golden Knights completely crashed and burned Monday night against the New Jersey Devils.

But if the Golden Knights are looking for any solace in that they can get some help from the Ducks, it might be in the case of this game. This is the second-to-last home game the Ducks are playing, which means it’s one fewer game before captain Ryan Getzlaf announces his retirement. Anaheim’s final home game is Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.

And now that John Gibson has won for the first time in 14 starts, that’s something to look forward to for the Ducks. Gibson made 31 saves, and Troy Terry scored twice in their 6-4 win over Columbus on Sunday.

"We haven't played a lot of (high-scoring) games like that," Terry said. "A lot of scoring chances both ways, but I thought we did a good job capitalizing on ours and limiting theirs."

Getzlaf had two assists in the game for his 259th multipoint game with the Ducks. That tied legend Teemu Selanne for most in team history. You’ve got to think he wants to go out with a bang. Any time they’re at home will at least provide that.

That being said, the Kings see the door is wide open for them, and it would be shocking if the Kings fell through the bottom. Even without Drew Doughty, oine could argue this team is better defensively than constructed when fully healthy. If Quick or Cal Petersen play remotely solid, I’d expect that to carry in this must-win situation. Kings win 4-2

Kings are 40-62 the past three seasons against division opponents.

Kings are 45-54 the past three seasons after playing a home game.

Ducks are 36-64 the past three seasons against division opponents.

Ducks are 5-24 this season when revenging a loss against the opponent.

Kings:

Andreas Athanasiou -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson

Alex Iafallo -- Blake Lizotte -- Dustin Brown

Brendan Lemieux -- Rasmus Kupari -- Arthur Kaliyev

Alexander Edler -- Matt Roy

Jacob Moverare -- Sean Durzi

Olli Maatta -- Jordan Spence

Jonathan Quick

Ducks:

Adam Henrique -- Ryan Getzlaf -- Gerry Mayhew

Derek Grant -- Trevor Zegras -- Troy Terry

Sonny Milano -- Isac Lundestrom -- Zach Aston-Reese

Dominik Simon -- Sam Steel -- Sam Carrick

Cam Fowler -- Kevin Shattenkirk

Urho Vaakanainen -- Jamie Drysdale

Josh Mahura -- Andrej Sustr

John Gibson

Statistical leaders

Points: Anze Kopitar -- 62

Goals: Adrian Kempe -- 33

Assists: Anze Kopitar -- 44

Goalie: Jonathan Quick -- 19-13-9, 2.67 GAA, .907 SV%

Points: Troy Terry -- 63

Goals: Troy Terry -- 36

Assists: Trevor Zegras -- 36

Goalie: John Gibson -- 18-24-11, 3.18 GAA, .905 SV%