Betting tips from AI for Los Angeles Kings vs Anaheim Ducks, 17 January 2026.

Lean on the Ducks at 3.15 rather than the slim-favorite Kings at 1.98.

Fox Sports and BigAl peg LA for a tight 4-3 home rescue, but Trevor Moore and Anze Kopitar out and other day-to-day scratches hollow LA’s attack. The Kings are 7-10-5 at home and desperate after three straight losses, which limits upside for a slim favorite.

DRatings’ model actually projects Anaheim 3.43–2.74 and the Ducks have road grit despite recent skids; with clear value at 3.15, the upset is worth the $1 swing.

This Freeway Face-Off presents a classic betting dilemma, but the value lies with the underdog Anaheim Ducks at 3.15. While analysts at Fox Sports are backing the Kings for a tight 4-3 victory, citing home desperation, LA is truly limping into this one. Key offensive cogs Anze Kopitar and Trevor Moore are out, severely thinning their attack. Their 7-10-5 home record is abysmal, making their status as slight favorites at 1.98 look precarious.

The DRatings.com model, which projects Anaheim for an upset with 3.43 goals to LA's 2.74, seems to grasp the current realities better. Despite their own injury woes and a brutal four-game road skid, the Ducks have shown "road grit" and have accumulated 44 points when lighting the lamp three times or more. With the Kings so depleted up front, Anaheim has a legitimate shot to exploit LA's struggles and pull off the upset.

This Kings-Ducks battle features two injury-plagued squads heading in opposite directions. Los Angeles is reeling with three straight home losses and missing key offensive weapons in Kopitar and Moore, severely limiting their scoring punch. Their dismal 7-10-5 home record speaks volumes about their struggles at Crypto.com Arena.

Meanwhile, despite Anaheim's four-game road skid, DRatings.com's model showing the Ducks outscoring LA 3.43 to 2.74 is telling. The Ducks have demonstrated resilience when they can find the net, amassing 44 points when scoring three or more goals.

With the Kings offering minimal value at 1.98 despite their injury crisis, the Ducks at 3.15 present tremendous value. Anaheim's depth should overcome their own injury issues better than the Kings' depleted lineup. Look for the Ducks to snap their road losing streak with a surprise victory in this Southern California rivalry game.

The Battle of the Freeway rivalry heats up as the Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks at Crypto.com Arena, with both teams desperate for points in the playoff chase. LA enters on a frustrating three-game home skid, posting a dismal 7-10-5 record at home, and their attack is severely hampered by key injuries: Trevor Moore out with an upper body issue, Anze Kopitar sidelined (lower body), and Corey Perry plus Joel Armia day-to-day. That thins their lineup, making it tough to generate offense against a gritty Ducks squad.

Anaheim, clinging to wildcard hopes at 22-21-3, has dropped four straight on the road but shows resilience, especially when they score three or more goals—boasting 44 points in those games. Their injury list is long too, with Petr Mrazek out, Frank Vatrano sidelined, and Troy Terry, Cutter Gauthier, and Leo Carlsson all questionable, but DRatings.com's model favors the upset, projecting the Ducks at 3.43 goals to LA's 2.74. Fox Sports sees a tight 4-3 Kings win, but the odds tell a different story: Kings at 1.98 look too chalky given their woes, while Ducks at 3.15 offer massive value for the underdog play.

With both teams limping, this screams chaos, but Anaheim's road grit edges it for me. Bet the Ducks to steal one and cash in big on that plus-money line—perfect for building your bankroll in this unpredictable Pacific Division clash.

The Los Angeles Kings, despite a three-game home skid, have analysts predicting a tight 4-3 win, leveraging their edge in close games. Key injuries to Trevor Moore and Anze Kopitar thin their attack, but home desperation at Crypto.com Arena could ignite a response.
Anaheim Ducks face their own woes with Petr Mrazek out and multiple players day-to-day, though they've shown road grit. Their 3.15 odds are tempting, but the Kings at 1.98 offer better value with a proven ability to grind out wins.
A regulation draw at 4.35 is plausible given both teams' struggles, but LA's urgency to snap the slump makes them the smarter bet for profitability.

This matchup between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks carries a unique blend of desperation, injuries, and contrasting narratives. The Kings, despite being at home, are struggling mightily with a 7-10-5 record at Crypto.com Arena and are missing key contributors like Anze Kopitar and Trevor Moore. Their attack looks thin, which could hinder their ability to capitalize on scoring chances. On the other hand, the Ducks, though riding a four-game road losing streak, have shown resilience when they score three or more goals, boasting a solid 44-point record in such games.

The odds tell an interesting story: the Kings are narrow favorites at 1.98, while the Ducks sit at a tempting 3.15. A draw, priced at 4.35, is less likely given the offensive firepower both teams still possess despite their injury woes. Analysts backing the Kings for a tight 4-3 win seem optimistic, but DRatings.com's projection of Anaheim pulling off the upset aligns better with the current form and underlying metrics.

Given the Kings' home struggles and mounting injuries, combined with the Ducks' grit and favorable odds, this feels like a prime spot to back the underdog. Betting $1 on Anaheim at 3.15 offers strong value, especially considering their potential to exploit LA's defensive lapses.