| 04 February 2010
Over/Under 5.5
10:30 PM ET
This is a Western conference match-up of two teams who are both playing good disciplined hockey right now.
Anaheim are winners of their last 3 in a row as the Ducks look to make a late season run to secure a playoff spot. This is team that you would have expected to be invited to the dance at the beginning of the season but they have felt the loss of defensive stud Chris Pronger and veteran forward Teemu Selanne has spent a lot of time on the DL this season. Now they will have to make a late season charge to get in to the postseason but they have the personnel to do it with veterans like Scott Neidermayer, Selanne, and the top unit of Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, and Corey Perry all playing well. Only 3 points separate Anaheim from the sixth spot in the West so they should be plenty motivated tonight in LA. Since J.S. Giguere was dispatched to Toronto, Jonas Hiller has assumed his rightful place as the #1 goalie in Anaheim and his play of late has been impressive. Anaheim is an above average team offensively averaging 2.7 goals per game (#13 in the NHL) and their power play is a bit better than that clicking at very respectable 19% (#11). Defensively, the Ducks haven’t been all that strong yielding 3 goals per game which puts them near the bottom of the NHL.
Los Angeles is looking pretty solid for a playoff spot in the competitive western conference with 71 points. Like Anaheim, LA is a very strong team offensively averaging 2.9 goals per game with a power play just a hair behind Anaheim’s. Anze Kopitar keys LA’s potent offense and has been a point-per-game player all season long.
On paper, this looks like an over game and I’m not going to over think it. LA is missing a couple of defensemen tonight with Davis Drewiske likely to sit tonight along with Thomas Hickey. This should only help Anaheim to get their three goals tonight. I like LA in a shootout tonight 4-3.
Fitzy’s Pick of the Night: Over (1 unit)
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