Two teams currently on losing skids, the Los Angeles Kings and the Arizona Coyotes collide at Gila River Arena. The action gets going at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 30, and fans at home can view this divisional matchup live on Fox Sports Arizona.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Arizona Coyotes Odds
Los Angeles (+155) is currently the underdog to Arizona (-175), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -130 for the under and +110 for the over.
The Coyotes are 26-26 straight up (SU) and have disappointed moneyline bettors to the tune of -2.0 units so far. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with the 39-43 record the team produced during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 52 regular season contests, 27 have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 12-12 SU at home this season.
Arizona’s converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of all penalties.
Arizona, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.1 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.6 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 6.4 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 28.7 saves per game with a .929 save percentage, Darcy Kuemper (15-10-2) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Coyotes this season. If they choose to give him the night off, however, the team could go with Antti Raanta (9-14-14 record, .911 save percentage, 2.99 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Nick Schmaltz will each be focal points for the Coyotes. Hall (40 points) has tallied 13 goals and 27 assists and has recorded multiple points in nine different games this year. Schmaltz has seven goals and 30 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 25 games.
On the visiting bench, Los Angeles is 18-32 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 50 regular season contests, 27 of its games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just two have pushed. Los Angeles’ 7-21 SU as the visiting team this season.
Los Angeles has converted on just 16.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Los Angeles’ players have been penalized only 3.2 times per game in total this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 4.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (.896 save percentage and 3.01 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Los Angeles. Quick is averaging 25.8 saves per game and has 11 wins, 20 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Kings, the offense will run through Anze Kopitar, who has 26 assists and 17 goals on the year.
Los Angeles Kings at Arizona Coyotes Betting Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Coyotes, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the total has gone over in three of their past five matchups.
- The Kings are 6-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 14-25 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Arizona (5-3 in shootouts this season) has significantly more experience in games decided by shootout. Los Angeles has yet to win a shootout this year (0-2).
- Arizona skaters have forced 7.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 6.7 takeaways per game (ranked 26th).
- Los Angeles has managed just 1.8 goals per game, while allowing 3.5, over its last four games (0-4 SU over that span).
- Los Angeles is ranked 29th this season with 5.4 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher recently, as the team has created 5.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.4 takeaways over its last five.
