Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in head-to-head matchups.

The final NHL game on Wednesday's schedule will pit the defending champion Panthers against the Kings out on the West Coast.

The Ducks have lost seven of their last eight games, accruing just four of a possible 16 points, while Pittsburgh just hammered the Kings on Monday.

The Los Angeles Kings conclude a quick two-game homestand against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. LA comes into this matchup after a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.

LOS ANGELES – The Florida Panthers will wrap up their first of two back-to-backs on their current road trip when they visit the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday. Overall, Florida is 5-1-0 on the second half of back-to-backs this season.

The Los Angeles Kings returned home Monday for the first time since the devastating fires ravaged southern California. The Kings are honoring the first responders, and specifically the Los Angeles Fire Department,

The Ducks have lost seven of their last eight, accruing just four of a possible 16 points, while Pittsburgh just hammered the Kings on Monday

The Panthers latest extended road trip will continue on Wednesday night when they face the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Florida is fresh off Tuesday’s 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks and is looking for their third straight victory overall.

Sergei Bobrovsky is the proven veteran. Spencer Knight is on a bit of a hot streak. How does that impact how Paul Maurice is going to handle reps between his two goaltenders?

Anaheim Ducks (18-23-6, 42 points, 7th place Pacific Division) When: 10:00 p.m. ET How to Watch: Broadcasting on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and KCOP-13 and in the local markets, streaming nationally on ESPN+ Pens’ Path Ahead: The Pens start a rhythm today of playing every other day through the end of their road trip.

The L.A. Kings are in win-now mode and trying to make the most of their talent, especially with veteran Anze Kopitar's contract expiring in 2026.

After getting a well-earned two-day break in Southern California, the Pittsburgh Penguins resume a seven-day road trip on Thursday night with a game against the slumping Anaheim Ducks.