LA Kings (1-1-2) vs. Montreal Canadiens (2-2)
October 17, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Montreal Canadiens +120 / LA Kings -149; Over/Under: +5.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Kings and Montreal Canadiens meet Thursday in NHL action at the Bell Centre. Here’s a Montreal Canadiens vs LA Kings Prediction. This article will include a Montreal Canadiens vs LA Kings Pick.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings lost to the Senators and Maple Leafs, and they play the Ducks next. The Los Angeles Kings are averaging 3.25 goals per game and are scoring on 21.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Anze Kopitar leads Los Angeles with 3 goals, Brandt Clarke has 4 assists and Kevin Fiala has 13 shots on goal. Defensively, the Los Angeles Kings are allowing 4.25 goals per game and are killing 70 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Darcy Kuemper has given up 11 goals on 100 shots faced, and David Rittich has allowed 4 goals on 14 shots.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens beat the Senators, lost to the Penguins, and will play the Islanders next. The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring on 23.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 4 goals, Lane Hutson has 4 assists and Brendan Gallagher has 14 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.25 goals per game and are killing 92.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Cayden Primeau has given up 6 goals on 29 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 6 goals on 103 shots.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Kings have lost each of their last four games as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Canadiens have won four of their last five games as home underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last nine games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in 15 of their last 16 night games at Bell Centre following a home loss.
- The Kings have lost the second period in each of their last four night games.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Patrik Laine has scored a goal in seven of his last eight appearances with his team as a home underdog against Pacific Division opponents.
- Juraj Slafkovsky has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens’ last eight home games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in six of the Canadiens’ last seven home games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Kevin Fiala has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances with his team as a favorite against the Canadiens.
- Anze Kopitar has recorded at least one point in each of the Kings’ last 10 Thursday games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Adrian Kempe has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances with the Kings as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Montreal Canadiens rank T4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (92.86%).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank T1st in the league for power-play goals against this season (1).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (4.25).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 3rd in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.75).
Montreal Canadiens vs LA Kings Prediction
The Montreal Canadiens haven’t won a game against the Kings since November 2019, losing each of the last 6 games. With that said, this will be the King’s fifth straight road game to start the season, and all that traveling has to be taking a toll. We know the Kings have been a mess defensively through their first 4 games, and that includes allowing a combined 14 goals in their last 2 games. At home, this is a good chance for the Canadiens to get a rare win over the Kings. I’ll take a shot with the Habs and the more favorable price.
