In their fourth and final head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings clash at the Staples Center for a divisional showdown. The puck drops at 10:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 12, and it will air live on Sportsnet Pacific.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (-230) is currently the favorite over Vancouver (+190), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -130 for the under and +110 for the over.
Los Angeles is 37-31 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division so far in this young season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (39-43). Through 68 regular season outings, 34 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 17-16 SU at home.
The Kings have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Kings have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over their last ten outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays for just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
With a .920 save percentage and 27.3 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (26-27-2) has been the top option in goal for Los Angeles this season. If Los Angeles chooses to give him the night off, however, it might roll with Darcy Kuemper (10-9-9 record, .932 save percentage, 2.10 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will both lead the offensive attack for the Kings. Kopitar (74 points) has tallied 27 goals and 47 assists and has recorded two or more points 20 times this year. Brown has 20 goals and 26 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 32 contests.
Over on the other bench, Vancouver is 25-44 straight up (SU) and has lost 11.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 40 of its contests have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and none have pushed. The Canucks are 13-21 SU as the road team this season.
The Canucks have converted on 21.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.0 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their past five contests. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (2.74 goals against average and .910 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 26.1 saves per game and has 18 wins, 33 losses, and seven overtime losses to his credit.
Brock Boeser (29 goals, 26 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the visiting Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Los Angeles is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vancouver is 0-3 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in three of Los Angeles’ last five games.
- Los Angeles has attempted 31.2 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 21st in the NHL), and 32.4 over their last 10 games.
- Four of Vancouver’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-3 in those games.
- The Kings this season have handed the second-most hits per game (25.6), but that average has jumped up to 28.6 over their past five home outings.
