Two teams squaring off for the second time this season, the Arizona Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings face off at the Staples Center for a divisional matchup. The match gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 3, and it’s being televised live on Fox Sports Arizona.
Arizona Coyotes vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 0.1 units, Los Angeles is 27-24 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is fairly close to the 39-43 record the team produced during the 2016-17 season campaign. 27 of the team’s 51 games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 12-12 SU at home this year.
The Kings have converted on 18.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 85.3 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Kings have been called for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for 16.2 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 27.5 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (20-20-2) has been the primary option in goal for Los Angeles this season. If Los Angeles chooses to give him the night off, however, the team could turn to Darcy Kuemper (7-7-7 record, .939 save percentage, 1.90 goals against average).
The Kings will continue to look for offensive production via Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Kopitar (53 points) is up to 19 goals and 34 assists and has recorded two or more points 14 times this year. Doughty has eight goals and 28 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 27 contests.
On the other bench, Arizona is 12-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 23.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 29 of its outings have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team, the Coyotes are 6-20 SU so far.
The Coyotes have converted on just 16.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-five overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 21st overall and it’s successfully defended 79.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Arizona’s players have been penalized only 3.1 times per game in total this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 5.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Antti Raanta (2.56 goals against average and .919 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Arizona. Raanta is averaging 25.8 saves per game and has eight wins, 20 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit.
Clayton Keller (14 goals, 22 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive facilitators for the visiting Coyotes.
Arizona Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Three of Arizona’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 0-3 in those games and 1-4 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone under in three of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
Seven of Los Angeles’ last ten games have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 2-5 overall in those games.
This game features two of the tougher defenses in the league. Arizona skaters have dished out the league’s sixth-most hits per game (24.4) and the Kings have handed the fourth-most (24.9).
