The Staples Center will be hosting an East-West tilt as the Los Angeles Kings face off against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. The opening face-off is at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, and you’ll be able to watch the game live on Fox Sports West.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (-165) is currently favored over Carolina (+145), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -135 for the under and +115 for the over.
The Kings are 19-11 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 6.0 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the NHL in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 39-43 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Out of its 30 regular season contests, 16 of them have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just two have pushed. The teams 9-7 SU at home this year.
Los Angeles has converted on just 16.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places the team in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 89.0 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, 3.4 per game over its last five outings total, and 3.6 per game over its last five at home. The teams had to stave off opposition power plays for just 8.0 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .929 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (14 wins, nine losses, and one OT loss) has been the top goalkeeper for the Kings this year. If they choose to give him a breather, however, head coach John Stevens could turn to Darcy Kuemper (5-4-4 record, .941 save percentage, 1.88 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will each be focal points for the Kings. Kopitar (36 points) has produced 15 goals and 21 assists and has recorded multiple points in nine different games this year. Brown has 12 goals and 14 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 16 contests.
Carolina is 11-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 14 of its outings have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the road team, Carolina is 5-9 SU so far.
Carolina has converted on just 15.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carolina’s skaters have been penalized only 2.9 times per game in total this season, and 4.0 per game over their past five contests. The teams had to defend opponent power plays 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Scott Darling (.902 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Carolina. Darling is averaging 24.3 saves per game and owns a 7-13-5 record.
Teuvo Teravainen (eight goals, 15 assists) has been one of the most vital playmaking threats for the visiting Hurricanes.
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The Kings are 8-4 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Hurricanes are 4-3 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
- Two of Carolina’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-3 overall in shootouts this season.
- Los Angeles has forced 4.4 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a slight drop from its season average of 5.1 takeaways per game (ranked 32nd in the league).
- Carolina skaters have averaged 7.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 10.9 takeaways per game (ranked third).
