Two squads currently on winning streaks, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Los Angeles Kings clash at the Staples Center in an East-West showdown. Sportsnet ONE will showcase the matchup, and the puck drops at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 1.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (-155) is currently favored over Columbus (+135) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 5 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -140 for the over and +120 for the under.
The Kings are 35-29 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 3.5 units this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division so far in this young season, is a welcome improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (39-43). Through 64 regular season matches, 33 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just three have pushed. This season, the team’s 15-14 SU at home.
Los Angeles has converted on 20.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.7 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five matchups at home. The team has had to defend opponent power plays for just 7.9 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Boasting a .922 save percentage and 27.4 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (24-25-2) has been the best goalkeeper for the Kings this season. If head coach John Stevens decides to give him the evening off, however, the Kings might go with Darcy Kuemper (10-9-9 record, .932 save percentage, 2.10 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will both be focal points for the Kings. Kopitar (70 points) has produced 27 goals and 43 assists and has recorded multiple points 19 times this year. Brown has 19 goals and 25 assists to his name and has notched a point in 31 games.
On the other side of the rink, Columbus is 32-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 35 of its games have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just one has pushed. Columbus’ 13-18 SU as a road team this season.
Columbus has converted on just 15.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully defended 76.4 percent of all penalties.
Columbus’ players have been penalized only 3.0 times per game in total this season, 2.6 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sergei Bobrovsky (27.9 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Columbus. Bobrovsky owns a 27-25-5 record, and has registered a .920 save percentage and 2.41 goals against average this year.
Artemi Panarin (18 goals, 34 assists) has been one of the top offensive facilitators for the visiting Blue Jackets.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in three of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
- Columbus has attempted 34.4 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 36.8 in its last five road outings.
- Penalties and power plays could prove to be key in this one. The Blue Jackets are 15-14 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 27-24 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Kings are 13-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 22-14 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Columbus (6-4 in shootouts) has significantly more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Los Angeles, however, is undefeated in two shootouts this year.
- Los Angeles has managed 3.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 5.0 takeaways per game (ranked 31st in the league).
- Columbus has averaged 6.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.5 takeaways per game (ranked 13th).
- Columbus could hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s an impressive 18-11 in one-goal games, while Los Angeles is 12-15 in such games.
