The Staples Center plays host to an East-West clash as the Detroit Red Wings pay a visit to the Los Angeles Kings. It’s the last time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. This one will get going at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15 and it will air live on NBC Sports Network.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (-240) is currently the favorite over Detroit (+200), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-120 for the under, +100 for the over).
Netting 1.8 units for moneyline bettors, Los Angeles is 38-32 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 39-43 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 70 regular season outings, 35 of its games have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 18-16 SU at home this year.
The Kings have converted on 20.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.1 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Kings have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.1 per game over their last ten games. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Sporting a .922 save percentage and 27.4 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (27-27-2) has been the top option in goal for Los Angeles this season. If the Kings, however, decide to give him the night off, Los Angeles could turn to Darcy Kuemper (10-9-9 record, .932 save percentage, 2.10 goals against average).
The Kings will continue to rely on offensive production from Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Kopitar (76 points) has put up 28 goals and 48 assists and has recorded two or more points on 21 separate occasions this year. Doughty has nine goals and 39 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 36 contests.
Detroit is 26-43 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 69 regular season contests, 41 of its games have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Red Wings are 13-21 SU as the road team this season.
The Red Wings have converted on just 18.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.2 percent of all penalties.
Detroit’s skaters have been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, 4.0 per game over their last five contests total, and 3.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (26.6 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Detroit. Howard has 18 wins, 34 losses, and eight OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .910 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will run through Dylan Larkin (nine goals, 40 assists) and Henrik Zetterberg (10 goals, 36 assists).
Detroit Red Wings at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Detroit is 4-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-1 in shootouts.
The over has hit in three of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
Detroit has managed 29.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Los Angeles has been attempting 33.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
Four of Detroit’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-3 in those games.
The Kings this season have recorded the second-most hits per game (25.6).
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