A couple of teams currently on losing skids, the Boston Bruins and the Los Angeles Kings face off at the Staples Center in an East-versus-West tilt. The first puck will drop at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 16, and it is being televised live on Sportsnet.
Boston Bruins at Los Angeles Kings Odds
The Kings are 11-7 straight up (SU) and have netted moneyline bettors 2.5 units this year. That win percentage, ranked second in the Pacific Division so far in this young season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (39-43). Through 18 regular season matches, nine of the team’s games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 5-5 SU at home thus far.
Los Angeles has converted on 18.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 89.2 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its past five contests. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for a whopping 15.0 minutes per game over its last five matchups, overall.
Boasting a .930 save percentage and 31.1 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (9-6-1) has been the top goalkeeper for the Kings this season. If they, however, decide to give him a rest, the team could go with Darcy Kuemper (2-2-2 record, .908 save percentage, 2.53 goals against average).
The Kings will continue to lean on the leadership from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Kopitar (22 points) has produced nine goals and 13 assists and has recorded two or more points in six different games this year. Brown has eight goals and 10 assists to his name and has notched a point in 10 games.
On the other side of the ice, Boston is 6-11 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 17 regular season matches, eight of its games have gone over the total, while another eight have gone under and none have pushed. As the road team, Boston is 1-6 SU so far.
Boston has scored on 21.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully defended 86.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Boston’s players have been penalized 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five match ups. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Tuukka Rask (2.89 goals against average and .897 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Boston. Rask is averaging 24.7 saves per game and has three wins, nine losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
David Pastrnak (10 goals, seven assists) and Brad Marchand (eight goals, seven assists) are the top offensive options for Boston and will pace the offensive counter for the visiting Bruins.
Boston Bruins vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Betting Trends:
- The over has hit in three of Los Angeles’ last five games.
- The Bruins are 3-4 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Kings are 4-3 SU when they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
- Los Angeles has forced 2.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 5.1 takeaways per game (ranked 32nd in the NHL).
- Boston has allowed 3.8 goals per game (while scoring just 1.8 goals per contest) over its last four games (0-4 SU over that span).
- Boston skaters have created 9.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 9.7 takeaways per game (ranked fifth overall).
