The Los Angeles Kings, spearheaded by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, are set to take the ice against Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in a divisional matchup. CBC Sports will broadcast the game, and the opening face-off takes place at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 28.
Los Angeles Kings at Vancouver Canucks Odds
Vancouver enters the matchup as the heavy favorite with a moneyline of -180. The line for the Kings now stands at +160, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-105 over, -115 under).
Losing 0.8 units for moneyline bettors, Vancouver is 19-19 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division so far in the early season, is a welcomed improvement compared to what the team did during last year’s regular season (35-47). Of its 38 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team is 11-8 SU at home this season.
The Canucks have connected on 25.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for fourth-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 29.2 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (12-14-3) has been the best goalkeeper for Vancouver this year. If Vancouver chooses to give him the evening off, however, head coach Travis Green may roll with Thatcher Demko (7-5-5 record, .906 save percentage, 3.00 goals against average).
On the visiting bench, Los Angeles is 16-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 40 regular season outings, 21 of its games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Kings are 6-16 SU as a road team this season.
The Kings have converted on just 12.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Jonathan Quick (25.4 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Los Angeles. Quick owns a 10-16-2 record, while registering a .893 save percentage and 3.05 goals against average this year.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in three of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
- A majority (63.2 percent) of Vancouver’s wins have come by two or more goals and the team’s 12-10 overall in such games. 7 of Los Angeles’ 16 wins (43.8 percent) have been decided by two or more goals.
- Los Angeles skaters created 23.3 hits per game last season, while the Nucks accounted for 21.9 hits per matchup.
