The Los Angeles Kings, led by Anze Kopitar and Alex Iafallo, are set to take the ice against Kyle Palmieri, Nico Hischier, and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in a cross-country showdown. Fox Sports West will broadcast the matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8.
Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils Odds
Los Angeles (+125) is entering this one as the underdog to New Jersey (-145). The Over/Under (O/U), set at 6 goals, initially opened at -125 for the over and +105 for the under. Those odds have moved since they opened, and they now sit at -105 for the over, -115 for the under.
New Jersey is 19-34 straight-up (SU) and has lost 10.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage hasn’t moved much from what the team posted during last year’s regular season (31-51). Of its 53 games this season, 29 have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 7-19 SU at home this year.
The Devils have converted on just 16.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that puts them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.1 percent of all penalties.
With a .908 save percentage and 26.9 saves per game, MacKenzie Blackwood (16 wins, 22 losses, and seven OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Devils this season. If head coach Alain Nasreddine chooses to give him a rest, however, New Jersey might turn to Louis Domingue (3-10-10 record, .886 save percentage, 3.59 goals against average).
Over on the visiting bench, Los Angeles is 19-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 11.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 29 of its matches have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just four have pushed. The Kings are 8-23 SU as the road team this season.
The Kings have converted on just 17.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully defended 74.7 percent of all penalties.
Jonathan Quick (.894 save percentage and 3.05 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Los Angeles. Quick is averaging 25.5 saves per game and owns an 11-24-3 record.
Los Angeles Kings vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Over Los Angeles’ last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-6 in those games).
- Power plays and penalty kills may prove to be critical in tonight’s matchup. The Kings are 6-14 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-29 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Devils are 8-15 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 11-18 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Three of New Jersey’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-2 in those games and 3-6 overall in shootouts this season.
- Los Angeles skaters have averaged 9.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 10.2 giveaways per game (ranked 17th overall).
- New Jersey has averaged 9.6 giveaways over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 9.3 giveaways per game (ranked 12th).
