In a game that features two teams currently on losing skids, the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings take the ice at the Staples Center for a Pacific Division showdown. Sportsnet Pacific will air the game, and the opening face-off takes place at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 14.
Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (-200) is currently favored over Vancouver (+170), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-130 for the under, +110 for the over).
Los Angeles is 11-6 straight up (SU) and has earned 4.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the league so far in this young season, is a welcome improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (39-43). Among the team’s 17 games this season, nine have gone over the total, while seven have gone under and just one has pushed. So far this year, the team is 5-4 SU at home.
The Kings have converted on 18.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated first overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 91.9 percent of all penalties.
The Kings, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 5.2 per game over their past five games. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for a whopping 14.8 minutes per game over their last five matchups, overall.
Sporting a .933 save percentage and 31.6 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (9-5-1) has been the best goalkeeper for Los Angeles this season. If the Kings decide to give him a breather, however, the team might turn to Darcy Kuemper (2-2-2 record, .908 save percentage, 2.53 goals against average).
The Kings will continue looking for leadership from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Kopitar (21 points) has put up eight goals and 13 assists and has recorded two or more points on six different occasions this year. Brown has eight goals and nine assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in nine games.
On the other bench, Vancouver is 8-9 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 1.3 units this season. A total of 10 of its matches have gone under the total, while seven have gone over and none have pushed. The Canucks are 5-3 SU as the road team this season.
The Canucks have converted on just 14.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom-five overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vancouver’s players have been penalized 4.4 times per game in total this season, 4.6 per game over their last five games total, and 4.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties 10.6 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Jacob Markstrom (2.53 goals against average and .913 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 26.2 saves per game and has five wins, nine losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Brock Boeser (five goals, nine assists) has been one of the most vital playmaking threats for the visiting Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Betting Trends:
- The Kings are 4-3 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Canucks are 4-3 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
- The total has gone over in four of Los Angeles’ last five games.
- Los Angeles is ranked 25th this season with 11.4 giveaways per game. That figure has regressed lately, as it’s averaged 12.2 giveaways over its last 10 games and 15.6 giveaways over its last five.
- Vancouver is ranked ninth this season with 8.1 giveaways per game. That figure has trended upward lately, as the team’s averaged 9.0 giveaways over its last 10 games and 12.0 giveaways over its last five.
- The Kings this season have handed the sixth-most hits in the NHL (23.9 per game).
