In a game that features a couple of the league’s best penalty-kill units, the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings face off at the Staples Center in an East-West tilt. This one will get started at 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 21 and it can be viewed live on Sportsnet ONE.
New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Losing -1.7 units for moneyline bettors, Los Angeles is 24-22 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to what the team posted during last year’s regular season (39-43). Of its 46 regular season contests, 24 have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team’s 11-12 SU at home this season.
The Kings have converted on just 16.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 23rd overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked first overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 87.0 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Kings have been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to defend opponent power plays for 14.0 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Sporting a .924 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (19-18-2) has been the best option in goal for the Kings this year. If head coach John Stevens chooses to give him a breather, however, the team could go with Darcy Kuemper (5-6-6 record, .931 save percentage, 2.21 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will both spearhead the attack for the Kings. Kopitar (47 points) has tallied 18 goals and 29 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Brown has 15 goals and 17 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 22 contests.
On the other side of the ice, New York is 24-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 25 of its outings have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team so far, the Rangers are 7-12 SU.
The Rangers have converted on 19.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fifth overall and it’s successfully defended 83.8 percent of all penalties.
New York’s skaters have been penalized only 3.5 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (.924 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 29.6 saves per game and has 21 wins, 19 losses, and four OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Rangers, the offense will be coordinated by Mats Zuccarello (eight goals, 25 assists) and Pavel Buchnevich (13 goals, 17 assists).
New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Over Los Angeles’ last ten outings, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-4 in those games).
Penalties and power plays may have a key role in tonight’s matchup. The Rangers are 9-9 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 16-14 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Kings are 9-7 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 16-10 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Two of New York’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 3-4 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone under in three of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
Los Angeles has averaged 2.8 goals per game overall this season, but is averaging 1.8 goals per matchup over its six-game losing streak.
Los Angeles is ranked 23rd this season with 10.4 giveaways per game. That figure has trended lower lately, however, as the team’s averaged 8.6 giveaways over its last 10 games and 8.4 giveaways over its last five.
New York is ranked 31st this season with 13.6 giveaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as it’s averaged 9.4 giveaways over its last 10 games and 9.8 giveaways over its last five.
The Kings this season have tallied the second-most hits in the NHL (25.6 per game), but that average has risen to 31.6 over their last five home games.
