The Staples Center plays host to a Pacific Division clash as the Los Angeles Kings take on the visitingVegas Golden Knights. The opening face-off takes place at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, and you will be able to view it live on NBC Sports Network.
Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles (-150) is currently favored over Vegas (+130) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the over and +100 for the under.
Vegas is 24-11 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 16.1 units this year. Through 35 regular season contests, 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team in 2017-18, the Knights are 9-8 SU.
Vegas has converted on 20.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it has successfully killed off 80.2 percent of its penalties.
The Knights, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.5 times per game during the 2017-18 season, 3.2 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.4 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 23.9 saves per game with a .872 save percentage, Maxime Lagace (7-7-1) has been the best option in goal for Vegas this season. If Vegas decides to rest him, however, they may go with Malcolm Subban (10-2 record, .926 save percentage, 2.18 goals against average).
The visiting Golden Knights have relied heavily on Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson this year. Marchessault has 33 points on 12 goals and 21 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 10 different games. Karlsson has 17 goals and 12 assists to his name (and has logged a point in 20 games).
Over on the other bench, Los Angeles is 22-15 straight up (SU) and has netted 4.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. 19 of its contests have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 11-7 SU as the home team this season.
The Kings have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 86.5 percent of all penalties.
Kings players have been sent to the penalty box 4.1 times per game in total this season, and 5.6 per game over their last five match ups. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays 9.2 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Jonathan Quick (28.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for the Kings. Quick has 17 wins, 12 losses, and one OT loss and has maintained a 2.23 goals against average and a .928 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by Anze Kopitar (17 goals, 23 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Four of Vegas’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-0 in those games.
Vegas has allowed 2.9 goals per game overall this season, but is allowing just 1.4 per match up over their five-game winning streak.
The Golden Knights are 10-4 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 16-8 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Vegas is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-0 in shootouts.
The under has hit in three of Vegas’ last five outings.
Los Angeles has averaged 14.4 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 10.8 giveaways per game (ranked 22nd).
Vegas has averaged 7.6 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 10.0 giveaways per game (ranked 21st in the NHL).
The Kings this season have registered the second-most hits in the league (25.3 per game).
