The Los Angeles Kings hope to even the series up at T-Mobile Arena in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. NBC Sports Network will air the game, and the opening face-off is at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, April 13.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights Odds
Vegas (-155) is currently favored over Los Angeles (+135), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 5 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under). Those lines have moved after initially opening at -120 over, +100 under.
The Golden Knights are 52-31 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 16.5 units this season. Through 83 regular season outings, 42 of its games have gone over the total, while 39 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team’s 30-12 SU at home.
Vegas has been able to convert on 21.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for 10th-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.1 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Vegas has been called for penalties just 3.2 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five at home. The team has had to kill penalties for just 6.6 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Sporting a .929 save percentage and 27.8 saves per game, Marc-Andre Fleury (30 wins, 17 losses, and four OT losses) has been the best option in goal for the Golden Knights this year. If the Knights choose to give him the evening off, however, head coach Gerard Gallant may turn to Malcolm Subban (15-7-7 record, .910 save percentage, 2.68 goals against average).
The Knights will continue to lean on the offensive production from William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault. Karlsson (78 points) has tallied 43 goals and 35 assists and has recorded two or more points on 19 separate occasions this year. Marchessault has 27 goals and 48 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 46 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Los Angeles is 45-38 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.0 unit this year. Through 83 regular season contests, 43 of its games have gone under the total, while 37 have gone over and just three have pushed. Los Angeles’ 22-20 SU as a road team this season.
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 unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully killed off 85.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Los Angeles’ skaters have been called for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 5.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (.922 save percentage and 2.38 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Los Angeles. Quick is averaging 26.9 saves per game and has 33 wins, 32 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Kings, the offense will be coordinated by Anze Kopitar, who’s got 57 assists and 35 goals this season.
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights Betting Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in three of Vegas’ last five outings.
- Los Angeles has attempted 31.0 shots per game overall this season (ranked 23rd in the NHL), and 28.0 in its last five road games.
- Extra-man opportunities may play a critical role tonight. The Kings are 18-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 31-22 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Golden Knights are 20-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 41-20 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Vegas skaters have created 11.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 10.4 takeaways per game (ranked 2nd).
- Los Angeles has managed 6.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 4.8 takeaways per game (ranked 31st in the league).
- Vegas may have an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 23-16 in games decided by one goal, while Los Angeles is 14-20 in such games.
