Tuesday marks the first Freeway Faceoff of the year, as the Anaheim Ducks make their way to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Kings. If you’re new to this series, we suggest you start at the beginning to understand the basics of betting on hockey.
Heading into Tuesday’s match-up, the visiting Ducks hold a record of 3-5-2, while the Kings are 3-3-2. Anaheim has struggled mightily to put the puck in the net, with their 1.6 goals for per game putting them dead last in the league. Perhaps they’ll feel inclined to call up Trevor Zegras soon, who one Ducks legend believes is ready for the big league.
Facing a team with offensive struggles is the best thing that can happen for the Kings right now, as the team is without Matt Roy and Sean Walker on the back end due to injuries. Click here to see the Kings projected lineup, including an exciting debut possibly in the cards.
Now that we’ve got a quick preview of the game out of the way, let’s look at the best bets for Tuesday’s game:
Kings -125
When I posted my picks for the league’s schedule today, I had the Kings as one of my picks. At the time, they came in at -130, and those odds have slightly shifted. That should only make this bet all the more appealing. The Kings are the better team currently, and we expect them to walk away with the victory.
Away Team Total Goals Under 2.5
This one’s pretty simple, especially when we’ve already made our first pick. The most goals the Ducks have scored in one game all year is three. Until they show that they’re any sort of a threat offensively, the smart money is to hammer the under on their goal totals. Tonight’s odds sit at -118, which represents good value, especially given their scoring woes.
Anze Kopitar Over 1.5 Shots
The captain has been off to a torrid start on the year, amassing 12 points in eight contests. While he only has one goal to his name, he’s put three or more shots on net in five of those eight games. We like him to hit on the over, even at -167 odds.
Looking for more betting picks? Make sure you follow @HockeysBestBets for my daily picks from around the league. You can also follow my personal account at @AndyTonge1. Good luck and happy betting!