In a game between two teams that are squarely in playoff contention, the Nashville Predators and the Los Angeles Kings clash at the Staples Center for a Western Conference showdown. Fox Sports West will air the action, which gets going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6.
Nashville Predators at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (+100) is playing the role of underdog to Los Angeles (-120), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -135 for the under and +115 for the over.
Los Angeles is 24-17 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 4.3 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the league so far this season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (39-43). Through 41 regular season matches, 21 of its games have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just three have pushed. This season, the team’s 11-8 SU at home.
The Kings have converted on 17.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked first overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 87.8 percent of all penalties.
The Kings, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five contests. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for just 7.8 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
With a .928 save percentage and 28.6 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (19-14-2) has been the best option in goal for the Kings this year. If head coach John Stevens decides to give him a breather, however, the team could turn to Darcy Kuemper (5-5-5 record, .934 save percentage, 2.11 goals against average).
The Kings will continue looking for leadership from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Kopitar (43 points) has tallied 17 goals and 26 assists and has recorded multiple points in 12 different games this year. Brown has 15 goals and 17 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 21 games.
Nashville is 23-17 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. A total of 20 of its matches have gone over the total, while an additional 20 have gone under and none have pushed. The Predators are 11-11 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Predators have scored on 24.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the top-five among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Nashville’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 5.2 times per game in total this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Pekka Rinne (.924 save percentage and 2.45 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Nashville. Rinne is averaging 29.3 saves per game and owns a 19-11-3 record.
Filip Forsberg (15 goals, 19 assists) will pace the attack for the visiting Predators.
Nashville Predators vs. Los Angeles Kings Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Nashville (3-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Los Angeles, on the other hand,emerged victorious in both of its shootouts this year.
The total has gone under in three of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
The Kings this season have handed the third-most hits per game (24.7).
