The Staples Center will be the site for an intriguing showdown as the Florida Panthers pay a visit to the Los Angeles Kings. It’s the final time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. Fox Sports West will showcase this East-West matchup, which gets underway at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 16.
Florida Panthers vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Florida is 31-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 38 of its contests have gone over the total, while 25 have gone under and just seven have pushed. This 2018-19 Panthers team is 13-21 SU on the road.
Florida currently touts the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 27.0 percent of its extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, it has the ninth-best penalty kill in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off 81.3 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Florida has been sent to the penalty box just 3.4 times per game during the 2018-19 season, 3.2 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.2 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 6.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 24.7 saves per game with a .897 save percentage, Roberto Luongo (15-22-5) has been the top option in goal for Florida this season. If Florida chooses to rest him, however, head coach Bob Boughner might go with James Reimer (14-21-6 record, .902 save percentage, 3.02 goals against average).
Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau will both lead the way for the visiting Panthers. Barkov has 78 points on 30 goals and 48 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 22 different games. Huberdeau has 22 goals and 52 assists to his credit (and has logged at least one point in 40 games).
Los Angeles is 25-45 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. 35 of its games have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 13-21 SU as the home team.
Los Angeles has converted on just 14.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. Its penalty kill is also ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Los Angeles players have been penalized only 3.3 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick has denied 26.2 shots per game as the top selection in the crease for Los Angeles. Quick has 13 wins, 26 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit and has maintained a subpar .892 save percentage and 3.28 goals against average this season.
The Kings offense will be led by Anze Kopitar (19 goals, 29 assists).
Florida Panthers at Los Angeles Kings Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Two of Florida’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 3-6 overall in shootouts this season.
- Florida’s attempted 33.2 shots per contest overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 30.0 in its last five road games.
- Seven of Los Angeles’ last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 1-6 overall in those games.
- Florida skaters created 20.2 hits per game last season, while the Kings accounted for 27.3 hits per matchup.
