NHL Game Preview: Los Angeles Kings (11-6-6) vs. Anaheim Ducks (14-8-1)

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Anaheim Ducks logo

Venue & Game Details

Location: Honda Center, Anaheim, California

Puckdrop: 4:00 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN+ / Bally Sports West / Bally Sports SoCal

Competition: Pacific Division rivalry matchup

Team Recent Form

Los Angeles Kings:

7th in Western Conference.

6‑2‑2 in last 10 games, averaging 2.5 goals per game, allowing just 1.9.

Beat Ottawa 2‑1 on Nov 24.

Anaheim Ducks:

4th in Western Conference.

5‑5‑0 in last 10 games, scoring 2.9 goals per game, allowing 2.8.

Lost 5‑4 to Vancouver on Nov 26.

Injury Report

Kings:

Drew Doughty (lower body) – out

Ryan Poehling (upper body) – out

Ducks:

Mikael Granlund (lower body) – day‑to‑day

Lukas Dostal (goaltender) – out

Player Matchups

Adrian Kempe (LAK): 7 goals, 13 assists – Kings’ top scorer.

Anze Kopitar (LAK): 4 goals in last 10 – veteran leader.

Leo Carlsson (ANA): 12 goals, 18 assists – Ducks’ offensive centerpiece.

Troy Terry (ANA): 19 assists – playmaker on the wing.

Goaltending:

Darcy Kuemper (LAK): 8 wins, 2.30 GAA, .910 SV%.

Lukas Dostal (ANA): 11 wins, 2.81 GAA, .904 SV% (out for this game).

Series History

First meeting of the season between these Pacific Division rivals.

Kings went 8‑1‑1 in last 10 vs. Ducks, dominating recent head‑to‑head.

Anaheim has struggled in rivalry games, going 2‑7‑1 in last 10 vs. LA.

Betting Trends

Kings are 7‑7 as favorites this season, winning 53.5% of those games.

Ducks have won 10 of 17 games as underdogs, including 9 of 16 when priced -104 or longer.

Kings games have gone over 6.5 goals in 9 of 23.

Ducks games have gone over 6.5 goals in 13 of 23.

Summary

The Kings (11‑6‑6) and Ducks (14‑8‑1) renew their Pacific Division rivalry at Honda Center. Los Angeles rides strong defensive form and recent dominance in the series, while Anaheim leans on Carlsson and Terry but faces goaltending uncertainty with Dostal out. Expect a tight, physical contest.

Game Odds

Los Angeles Kings            – 117

Anaheim Ducks                 6

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, November 27, 2025

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NHL Editor
Profile: A seasoned NHL analyst with a comprehensive understanding of the league’s tactical systems, player‑development pipelines, and organizational strategies. This columnist provides in‑depth coverage that blends film study, advanced metrics, and historical context to explain how teams evolve across an 82‑game season and into the postseason. Background: With extensive experience covering professional hockey, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on roster construction, coaching trends, and league‑wide movement. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term competitive cycles across all NHL markets. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive, defensive, and special‑teams systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and trade‑deadline coverage Salary‑cap strategy, front‑office trends, and organizational philosophy Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex systems and statistical models into insights that resonate with both traditional hockey fans and analytically minded readers. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the NHL’s speed, physicality, and evolving style of play.