The Staples Center is the site for an East-West clash as the Carolina Hurricanes travel to the City of Angels to take on the Los Angeles Kings. Fox Sports West will broadcast the matchup, and the action gets going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9.
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (+145) is currently the underdog to Los Angeles (-165), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -135 for the under and +115 for the over.
The Kings are 19-11 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 6.0 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the NHL in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 39-43 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. 16 of its 30 outings have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 9-7 SU at home this season.
Los Angeles has converted on just 16.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 25th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 89.0 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, 3.4 per game over its past five matchups total, and 3.6 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opposition power plays for just 8.0 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .929 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (14-9-1) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Kings this season. If head coach John Stevens decides to give him the night off, however, the Kings might roll with Darcy Kuemper (5-4-4 record, .941 save percentage, 1.88 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Kings. Kopitar (36 points) has tallied 15 goals and 21 assists and has recorded multiple points in nine different games this year. Brown has 12 goals and 14 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 16 games.
Over on the other bench, Carolina is 11-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 14 of its matches have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just two have pushed. Carolina’s 5-9 SU as the away team this season.
Carolina has converted on just 15.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.0 percent of all penalties.
Carolina’s players have been penalized only 2.9 times per game in total this season, and 4.0 per game over their last five games. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Scott Darling (2.69 goals against average and .902 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Carolina. Darling is averaging 24.3 saves per game and owns a 7-13-5 record.
For the visiting Hurricanes, the offense will run through Teuvo Teravainen (eight goals, 15 assists) and Sebastian Aho (seven goals, 14 assists).
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
The Hurricanes are 4-3 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Kings are 8-4 SU when they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
Two of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-3 overall in shootouts this season.
Los Angeles skaters have managed 4.4 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a slight drop from its season average of 5.1 takeaways per game (ranked 32nd in the NHL).
Carolina has created 7.4 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 10.9 takeaways per game (ranked third overall).
