The Staples Center will be the site for a Pacific Division clash as the Los Angeles Kings take on the visiting Edmonton Oilers. The puck drops at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 7, and it can be viewed live on Sportsnet West.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (-125) is currently favored over Edmonton (+105), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -125 under, +105 over.
Earning 1.1 units for moneyline bettors, Los Angeles is 28-24 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked second in the Pacific Division so far this season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during last years regular season (39-43). Of its 52 regular season contests, 27 have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just three have pushed. The teams 13-12 SU at home this season.
The Kings have converted on 19.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated first overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 85.5 percent of all penalties.
The Kings, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, 4.6 per game over their last five contests total, and 4.4 per game over their last five home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for 15.6 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Boasting a .919 save percentage and 27.5 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (20 wins, 20 losses, and two OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for Los Angeles this year. If the Kings, however, choose to rest him, head coach John Stevens might turn to Darcy Kuemper (8-7-7 record, .943 save percentage, 1.76 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty will both lead the offensive attack for the Kings. Kopitar (55 points) is up to 20 goals and 35 assists and has recorded multiple points on 14 separate occasions this year. Doughty has eight goals and 29 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 27 games.
On the other bench, Edmonton is 23-28 straight up (SU) and has lost 11.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 51 regular season matches, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while another 25 have gone under and just one has pushed. As a road team, the Oilers are 11-13 SU so far.
The Oilers have converted on just 15.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 32nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 71.6 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton’s skaters have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, 4.4 per game over their last five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five on the road. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays a whopping 15.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Cam Talbot (.902 save percentage and 3.10 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot is averaging 26.1 saves per game and owns a 20-20-2 record.
For the visiting Oilers, the offense will run through Connor McDavid, who has 40 assists and 21 goals this year.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Over Los Angeles last ten outings, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-5 in those games).
- Power-play chances could play a key role tonight. The Oilers are 10-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-19 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Kings are 10-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 18-11 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Los Angeles is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 2-1 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of Los Angeles last five outings.
- Los Angeles is ranked 23rd this season with 10.3 giveaways per game. That figure has trended down lately, however, as the teams averaged 9.2 giveaways over its last 10 games and 8.6 giveaways over its last five.
- Edmonton skaters have averaged 7.8 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 12.3 giveaways per game (ranked 30th in the NHL).
- This game features a couple of the more physical teams in the league. Edmonton skaters have dished out the most hits in the league (27.0 per game) while the Kings have recorded the third-most (25.0).
