Two teams that are squarely in the playoff picture, the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Islanders meet at the Barclays Center for a West-versus-East tilt. Fox Sports West will air the matchup, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 16.
Los Angeles Kings at New York Islanders Odds
Los Angeles is 20-13 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 33 regular season outings, 17 of its games have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Kings are 10-6 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Los Angeles has converted on just 16.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 87.0 percent of its penalties.
The Kings, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its last five games. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 27.7 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (15-11-1) has been the best option in goal for Los Angeles this year. Quick did just play last night, however, so head coach John Stevens could decide to rest him and turn to Darcy Kuemper instead (5-4-2 record, .941 save percentage, 1.88 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Kings. Kopitar (38 points) has tallied 16 goals and 22 assists, and has recorded two or more points 11 times. Brown has 12 goals and 14 assists to his name (and has logged a point in 17 games).
On the other side of the rink, New York is 17-15 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.9 units this season. Through 32 regular season outings, 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just one has pushed. It’s 9-4 SU at home this year.
The Islanders have converted on just 20.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.2 percent of all penalties.
New York players have been whistled for penalties only 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jaroslav Halak has stopped 26.1 shots per game as the top option in goal for the Islanders. Halak has nine wins, 10 losses, and one OT loss to his credit and has maintained a fairly-weak .905 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
The home team offense will be led by Josh Bailey (eight goals, 30 assists).
Los Angeles Kings at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
New York is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-0 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of New York’s last five outings.
Los Angeles has managed 26.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New York is averaging 35.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
Over Los Angeles’ last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-2 in those games).
Los Angeles skaters have given out the league’s fourth-most hits per game (24.8).
