The Staples Center will be the site for an East-West showdown as the New Jersey Devils visit the City of Angels to take on the Los Angeles Kings. It’s the last time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. Fox Sports West will broadcast the matchup, and the action gets going at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 17.
New Jersey Devils vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (+135) is currently the underdog to Los Angeles (-155), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-130 money on the under, +110 on the over).
Netting moneyline bettors 2.8 units, the Kings are 39-32 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked second in the Pacific Division so far in the early season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team did during last years regular season (39-43). Through 71 regular season matches, 36 of its games have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 19-16 SU at home.
Los Angeles has converted on 20.3 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, LA has been called for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.3 per game over its past ten matchups. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.8 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Boasting a .923 save percentage and 27.3 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (28-27-2) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Kings this season. If they choose to give him the day off, however, the team could roll with Darcy Kuemper (10-9-9 record, .932 save percentage, 2.10 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty will each lead the offensive attack for the Kings. Kopitar (80 points) is up to 29 goals and 51 assists and has recorded multiple points 21 times this year. Doughty has nine goals and 42 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 37 games.
On the other side of the ice, New Jersey is 36-34 straight up (SU) and has earned 7.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 70 regular season contests, 34 of its games have gone over the total, while another 34 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the away team, New Jersey is 18-17 SU.
New Jersey has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 10th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
New Jersey’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 2.5 per game over their past ten contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 5.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider (2.81 goals against average and .912 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Schneider is averaging 28.5 saves per game and has 18 wins, 20 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Taylor Hall (31 goals, 45 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Devils.
New Jersey Devils at Los Angeles Kings Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in three of Los Angeles last five outings.
- Los Angeles has attempted 31.2 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 22nd in the NHL), and 33.4 across their last 10 outings.
- Penalties and power plays could have a critical role in the outcome of this matchup. The Devils are 10-18 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 18-26 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total. The Kings are 14-10 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 26-16 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Los Angeles is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 5-4 in shootouts.
- Los Angeles is ranked 32nd this season with 4.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower recently, however, as the team has created 3.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 3.0 takeaways over its last five.
- New Jersey is ranked 11th in the league with 8.0 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down, however, as the team has managed 7.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.0 takeaways over its last five.
- New Jersey could have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The teams 19-16 in one-goal games, while Los Angeles is 12-16 in such games.
