The Staples Center plays host to a Pacific Division tilt as the Los Angeles Kings face off against the first-year franchise Vegas Golden Knights. Fox Sports West will air the matchup, which gets going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Monday, February 26.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
The money line for each team is currently set at an identical -110 and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-120 money on the over, +100 on the under).
Vegas is 41-20 straight up (SU) and has earned 22.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 35 of its contests have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2017-18 Golden Knights team is 17-13 SU on the road.
Vegas has converted on 22.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.2 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Knights have been whistled for penalties just 3.2 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 3.8 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .930 save percentage, Marc-Andre Fleury (21-9-2) has been the top option in goal for Vegas this season. If head coach Gerard Gallant decides to rest him, however, Vegas might roll with Malcolm Subban (12-4-1), who has a .912 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average this year.
Jonathan Marchessault and David Perron will both be relied on to produce for the visiting Golden Knights. Marchessault has 61 points on 22 goals and 39 assists, and has recorded two or more points 18 times. Perron has 15 goals and 42 assists to his name (and has registered at least one point in 38 games).
On the other side of the rink, Los Angeles is 33-29 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 62 regular season outings, 31 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 14-14 SU at home this season.
The Kings have converted on just 19.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Kings skaters have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick has denied 27.3 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for the Kings. Quick has 23 wins, 25 losses, and two overtime losses to his name and has maintained a 2.46 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this year.
The home team will be led on offense by Anze Kopitar (25 goals, 40 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Vegas is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-0 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
Eight of Vegas’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 6-2 in those games.
The Kings this season have recorded the fourth-most hits per game (25.2).
