by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Jan 15, 2026
Game Time: 10:30 pm ET, Friday, January 16, 2026
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Ducks +142, Kings -170; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Ducks +140, Kings -170; Over/Under: 6 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Ducks +145, Kings -165; Over/Under: 6 goals
Season Record
Anaheim Ducks: 22-21-3 (6th place, Pacific Division)
Los Angeles Kings: 19-16-11 (5th place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Anaheim Ducks: 1-8-1 last 10
Los Angeles Kings: 4-4-2 last 10
Anaheim Ducks vs Los Angeles Kings Preview and Analysis
The Ducks are entering this game with 47 points, a 22-21-3 record overall, and they are 9-13-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Dallas Stars in their last game, winning that one at home 3-1. Beckett Sennecke, Chris Kreider, and Jacob Trouba each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Jackson LaCombe, Mikael Granlund, and Radko Gudas each led the team in assists with 1 while Olen Zellweger led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Lukáš Dostál was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 25 shots with 24 saves and a .960 save percentage. Their offense has scored 153 goals this season averaging 3.3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 169 goals against them allowing 3.7 goals per game.
The Kings are entering this game with 49 points, a 19-16-11 record overall, and they are 7-10-6 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Vegas Golden Knights in their last game, losing that one at home 3-2 in overtime. Kevin Fiala and Brandt Clarke each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, Alex Turcotte, and Andrei Kuzmenko each led the team in assists with 1 while Adrian Kempe led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Darcy Kuemper was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 27 shots with 24 saves and a .889 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 122 goals this season averaging 2.7 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 131 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.
Ducks vs Kings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Kings listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Kings haven't looked great in their games this season with their 19-16-11 record overall which has them in the bottom half of their division in the West. They haven't looked that good on home ice either with their 7-10-6 home record this year. Meanwhile, the Ducks haven't looked great in their games this season with their 22-21-3 record overall which has them in the bottom half of their division in the West. They have been a bad road team too with their 9-13-2 road record this season. The Ducks had a really hot start to the season and were even leading their division in the early months, but they have come back down to Earth lately as they have been in a huge slump. They are off a win over the Stars in their last one, but that win snapped a 9 game losing streak that they were on as they are 1-8-1 in their last 10 games. The Kings haven't looked that great lately themselves, going 4-4-2 in their last 10 games, but they have looked a lot better than the Ducks have. The Kings are also off a 3-2 home loss to the Golden Knights in OT in their last one, so they will be looking to bounce back at home after such a tight loss. The Kings have been up and down all season, but lately they have been the more consistent team and can take advantage of a Ducks team on the road that has been slumping lately. The best way to place a bet here is on the Kings to win this game.
Ducks Kings Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Friday, January 16, 2026 (10:30 pm ET start time) is Kings 4 Ducks 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Anaheim Ducks: 24-27 (+12.3 units) on the moneyline as a road underdog of +100 to +200. 24-32 (+9 units) on the moneyline revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 3 goals or more. 43-59 (+3.8 units) on the moneyline after playing a home game. 33-22 UNDER revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 3 goals or more.
Los Angeles Kings: 113-107 (-30.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 61-56 (-21.4 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -200 or less. 49-47 (-30.7 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a losing record. 31-22 UNDER in a home game where the total is 6 or more.
Key Injuries
Anaheim Ducks: C. Gauthier (LW) Day To Day - Illness. L. Carlsson (C) Day To Day - Lower Body. T. Terry (RW) Day To Day - Upper Body. P. Mrazek (G) Out - Lower-Body. F. Vatrano (RW) Out - Shoulder.
Los Angeles Kings: C. Perry (RW) Day To Day - Personal. J. Armia (RW) Day To Day - Upper-body. A. Kopitar (C) Out - Lower Body. T. Moore (LW) Out - Upper Body.
Notable Quotes
“When we play the right way, we are getting the results. It was a long time coming for us. Hopefully, the dark times are over, and we can just build on (this win).” - Lukas Dostal after their win against the Stars in their game on Tuesday.
“What I really liked about it, and what he does well, is he had the sense and the timing to arrive as the puck arrived, so it makes it much harder on the defending team. You just look and you say, ‘Hey, he’s standing there. It’s a backdoor goal. Nice goal.’ But there’s a lot of subtlety that goes into that, and we’re seeing that from him, I think, more and more.” - Jim Hiller after his team’s loss against the Golden Knights in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Anaheim Ducks
LW Chris Kreider
C Mason McTavish
RW Ryan Strome
LD Jackson LaCombe
RD Jacob Trouba
G Lukas Dostal
Los Angeles Kings
LW Jeff Malott
C Alex Laferriere
RW Adrian Kempe
LD Mikey Anderson
RD Drew Doughty
G Darcy Kuemper
Statistical Leaders
Anaheim Ducks
Points: Leo Carlsson (44)
Goals: Cutter Gauthier (20)
Assists: Troy Terry (29)
GAA: Lukas Dostal (3.17)
Los Angeles Kings
Points: Adrian Kempe (36)
Goals: Kevin Fiala (17)
Assists: Adrian Kempe (21)
GAA: Darcy Kuemper (2.50)
Coaches:
Anaheim Ducks: Joel Quenneville (1st season)
Los Angeles Kings: Jim Hiller (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
