In this article, we will formulate a Blue Jackets vs Kings prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 25th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 23-19-7 this season after they lost to Carolina by a score of 7-4 in their last game. Columbus led 2-0 after the first period, but they allowed the next five goals and couldn’t recover from the loss. The Blue Jackets were outshot by a total of 43-22, won 41.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Johnson, Marchenko, Voronkov, and van Riemsdyk, while Tarasov stopped 36 out of 42 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Blue Jackets defeated the Maple Leafs by a score of 5-1 but did lose to the Islanders by a score of 3-1 before that. Columbus has lost three of their last four games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 53 points. Columbus has scored 3.31 goals per game and they have allowed 3.37 goals against per game, while also averaging 22.8% on the power play and 74.6% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 15 goals, 38 assists, and 185 shots on goal, while Kirill Marchenko has added 19 goals, 33 assists, and 138 shots on goal. Elvis Merzlikins is 17-11-3 with a 2.99 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage this year.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings are 26-14-5 this year after they defeated Florida by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Los Angeles trailed 1-0 after the second period but scored two goals in the third for the win. The Kings recorded 28 shots on goal, won 50% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles got goals from Helenius and Kempe, while Kuemper stopped 27 out of 28 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Kings lost to the Penguins by a score of 5-1 and the Kraken by a score of 4-2. Los Angeles has lost four of their last six games and they are currently third in the Pacific standings with 57 points. Los Angeles has scored 2.91 goals per game and they have allowed 2.44 goals against per game, while also going 16.2% on the power play and 82.1% on the penalty kill this season. Adrian Kempe has led LA with 24 goals, 20 assists, and 131 shots on goal, while Anze Kopitar has added 12 goals, 31 assists, and 60 shots on goal. Darcy Kuemper is 14-4-5 with a 2.06 goals against average and a .924 save percentage this year.
Why the Blue Jackets will beat the Kings
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last six games as home underdogs following a road loss.
- The Kings have lost each of their last three games as road favorites following a win.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games as home underdogs following a road loss.
- The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as road favorites following a home win.
- The Blue Jackets have won the first period in each of their last nine games at Nationwide Arena following a road loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Kings’ last eight road games following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Six of the Blue Jackets’ last seven home night games following a road loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eight of the last nine Saturday night games between teams from different conferences have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last nine games following a road loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 12 of the Kings’ last 13 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Marchenko has scored at least one goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games as home underdogs.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one point in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 18 home games.
- Zach Werenski has recorded an assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last six home games against Pacific Division opponents.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Kevin Fiala has recorded an assist in each of his last six appearances at Nationwide Arena.
- Adrian Kempe has scored a goal in each of the Kings’ last six games as favorites.
- Kevin Fiala has recorded at least one point in each of his seven previous appearances at Nationwide Arena.
Blue Jackets vs Kings Prediction
Columbus has had a great first few months of the season and they are fourth in the Metro, but they have lost three of their last four games. The Blue Jackets are 16-5-3 at home this year, while the Kings are 11-11-4 on the road. Los Angeles hasn’t played their best over their last six games and the road has not been kind to them. We know the Kings play some of the best defense in the NHL, but they have scored two goals or fewer in three straight games. The Blue Jackets have scored at least four goals in three of their last five and they have been great at home. Take Columbus here.