The Staples Center will be the site for an East-West showdown as the Los Angeles Kings face off against the visiting Florida Panthers. The opening face-off takes place at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 18, and you’ll be able to catch it live on Fox Sports West.
Florida Panthers at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles heads into the game as the noticeable favorite with a -145 moneyline. The line for Florida sits at +125, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-130 for the under, +110 for the over).
Los Angeles is 11-8 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 39-43 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 19 regular season contests, nine of the teams games have gone over the total, while an additional nine have gone under and just one has pushed. The teams 5-6 SU at home thus far.
The Kings have converted on 18.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked first overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 89.7 percent of all penalties.
The Kings, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 5.2 per game over their last five contests. The teams had to kill penalties for a whopping 14.2 minutes per game over their last five matchups, overall.
Averaging 30.9 saves per game with a .930 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (9-7-1) has been the primary option in goal for Los Angeles this season. If Los Angeles chooses to give him a breather, however, head coach John Stevens could roll with Darcy Kuemper (2-2-2 record, .908 save percentage, 2.53 goals against average).
The Kings will continue to rely on leadership from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Kopitar (23 points) has put up nine goals and 14 assists and has recorded two or more points six times this year. Brown has eight goals and 10 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 11 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Florida is 7-11 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 18 regular season contests, 12 of its games have gone over the total, while six have gone under and none have pushed. As the visiting team, the Panthers are 3-6 SU so far.
The Panthers have converted on 17.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.8 percent of all penalties.
Florida’s skaters have been penalized 4.7 times per game this season, 4.4 per game over their last five match ups total, and 4.4 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The teams been forced to kill penalties 9.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Roberto Luongo (.927 save percentage and 2.74 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Luongo is averaging 34.1 saves per game and owns a 4-5-1 record.
Jonathan Huberdeau (seven goals, 14 assists) has been one of the primary facilitators on offense for the visiting Panthers.
Florida Panthers at Los Angeles Kings Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Betting Trends:
- The under has hit in three of Los Angeles last five games.
- This game features two clubs that have clobbered opposing nets with shots. Florida has attempted the leagues eighth-most shots on goal (33.4) and Los Angeles attempted the 10th-most (33.1).
- Los Angeles has averaged 3.1 goals per game (overall) this year, but has been averaging 1.5 goals per contest over its four-game losing skid.
- The Kings this season have handed the fifth-most hits per game (24.6).
