Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings 12/29/22 NHL Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche meet Thursday in NHL action at the Ball Arena. The Los Angeles Kings have won 5 of their last 6 games. The Colorado Avalanche have won 6 of their last 8 games.

The Los Angeles Kings are averaging 3.2 goals per game and are scoring on 22.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Gabriel Vilardi leads Los Angeles with 15 goals, Kevin Fiala has 25 assists and Trevor Moore has 115 shots on goal. Defensively, the Los Angeles Kings are allowing 3.4 goals per game and are killing 71.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jonathan Quick has given up 72 goals on 625 shots faced, and Cal Petersen has allowed 34 goals on 257 shots.

The Colorado Avalanche are averaging 2.9 goals per game and are scoring on 27.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Mikko Rantanen leads Colorado with 24 goals, Nathan MacKinnon has 26 assists and Cale Maker has 111 shots on goal. Defensively, the Colorado Avalanche are allowing 2.7 goals per game and are killing 76.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alexandar Georgiev has allowed 60 goals on 764 shots faced, and Pavel Francouz has given up 25 goals on 286 shots.

The Kings are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest and 5-1 in their last 6 overall. The Avalanche are 68-21 in their last 89 home games and 87-38 in their last 125 overall. The under is 6-1 in Kings last 7 overall. The under is 21-7-1 in Avalanche last 29 overall. The Kings are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings in Colorado and 1-10 in the last 11 meetings. The favorite is 21-8 in the last 29 meetings.

The Colorado Avalanche are the better team, they’re playing well, and they’re going to get a steeper price because of the home ice. However, the Los Angeles Kings are playing well in their own right, their offense has been consistent, and they’re providing value in the underdog role based on their current form. It’s hard to pass up the plus money here. Give me the Kings.