A couple of teams that’ve positioned themselves squarely in the playoff hunt, the Los Angeles Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights clash at the Staples Center in a Pacific Division matchup. The opening face-off takes place at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, and you will be able to watch the game live on NBC Sports Network.
Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles enters the game as the substantial favorite with a -150 moneyline. The line for Vegas sits at +130 and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -120 money on the over and +100 on the under.
Vegas is 24-11 straight up (SU) and has netted 16.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2017-18 Golden Knights team is 9-8 SU on the road.
Vegas has converted on 20.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.2 percent of its penalties.
The Knights, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.5 times per game during the 2017-18 season, 3.2 per game over its past five games total, and 3.4 per game over its last five on the road. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Boasting a .872 save percentage and 23.9 saves per game, Maxime Lagace (7-7-1) has been the best option in goal for Vegas this year. If it chooses to rest him, however, Vegas may turn to Malcolm Subban (10-2 record, .926 save percentage, 2.18 goals against average).
The visiting Golden Knights have relied on Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson this year. Marchessault (33 points) has tallied 12 goals and 21 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 10 different games. Karlsson has 17 goals and 12 assists to his credit (and has notched at least one point in 20 games).
Over on the other bench, Los Angeles is 22-15 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.6 units this season. 19 of its matches have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 11-7 SU as the home team this season.
The Kings have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 86.5 percent of all penalties.
Kings skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game in total this season, and 5.6 per game over their last five games. The team has had to kill penalties 9.2 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Jonathan Quick (28.2 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Kings. Quick has 17 wins, 12 losses, and one overtime loss to his credit and has recorded a .928 save percentage and 2.23 goals against average this year.
The home team offense will be led by Anze Kopitar (17 goals, 23 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Los Angeles is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vegas is 2-2 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of Vegas last five outings.
- Four of Vegas last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-0 in those games.
- The Kings this season have tallied the second-most hits per game (25.3).
