NHL Hockey
2009-01-06 - Los Angeles Kings at Anaheim Ducks
A Sports Betting Pick by Grga
Tuesday Jan 6th, 2009 - Start 10:00 pm EST
Anaheim Ducks (20-15-5, 2nd Pacific)
Already without prolific right wing Teemu Selanne, who has been sidelined since Dec. 19 because of a lacerated muscle in his left thigh, the Ducks will also be without another of their top scoring threats, right wing Corey Perry, until Jan. 11.
Perry, who ranks second on the team with 34 points, including 10 goals, received a four-game, NHL-imposed suspension Saturday for an elbow to the head of Philadelphia rookie right wing Claude Giroux early in the third period of Friday night's 5-4, shootout loss to the visiting Flyers.
But the Ducks were good enough to win against Phoenix on Sunday when good defense and two power play goals was all that the Ducks needed to win 2-0.
Problems in salary cap forced a lot players to leave the team in past 2 seasons. Now with Sellane and Beauchemin out team must rely on lot of players from their AHL affiliate, Iowa.
Players like winger Bobby Ryan, center Andrew Ebbett and defensemen Brett Festerling and Brendan Mikkelson all started the season in Iowa and are now are getting a lot of time on ice in Ducks uniform.
LA Kings (16-16-6, 5th Pacific)
Team with lot of young prospects made something very brave.
The Kings traded Jason LaBarbera, whom they had anointed as their No. 1 goalie in training camp, to Vancouver for a seventh-round draft pick last week.
That leaves them with 2 rookie goalies Erik Ersberg and Jonathan Quick. Was it a good move or total bust? We will see by the end of season.
The Kings won their 1st game after the trade. Both goaltenders have good stats and with a lot improved defense in this season Kings might have chance for playoffs.
Offense is not playing at their full potential,there are a lot of quality players but something don’t work for them.
NHL 2008/2009
17.11.2008 Anaheim - Los Angeles 2:0
05.11.2008 Los Angeles - Anaheim 0:1 (OT)
15.10.2008 Los Angeles - Anaheim 6:3
THe VERDICT
The distance between Anaheim’s Honda Center and LA Kings Staples Center is approximately 35 miles (56 km) and these two teams are always highly motivated to win against local rival.
One more under 5.5 game in my opinion but I think that Kings can make something out of this trip so Kings +0.5 is also good option.
BEST BETTING TIP :
Try UNDER 5.5 TOTAL GOALS as the main bet.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Consider LA KINGS +0.5 as well.
