The Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Monday in NHL action at the Nationwide Arena. Here’s a Blue Jackets vs Kings Prediction. This article will include a Blue Jackets vs Kings Pick.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings beat the Rangers and Blues, and they play the Red Wings next. The Kings have lost 6 of their last 9 games.
The Los Angeles Kings are averaging 2.6 goals per game and are scoring 15.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Kevin Fiala leads Los Angeles with 18 goals, Adrian Kempe has 22 assists, and Kevin Fiala has 139 shots on goal. Defensively, the Los Angeles Kings are allowing 2.74 goals per game and are killing 77.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Darcy Kuemper has given up 81 goals on 827 shots faced, while Anton Forsberg has allowed 46 goals on 494 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Stars and Lightning, and play the Flyers next. The Blue Jackets have won 6 of their last 7 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring on 19.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Zach Werenski leads Columbus with 19 goals, Kirill Marchenko has 25 assists and Adam Fantilli has 140 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.29 goals per game and are killing 75.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 93 goals on 1,013 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 64 goals on 542 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Kings have lost seven of their last eight games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last six games as home favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in 11 of their last 12 games after coming off overtime.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games against the Kings.
- The Kings have lost the second period in each of their last nine games when leading after the first period.
Why the Los Angeles Kings will win
- The underdogs have won three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 11 of the Kings’ last 12 games.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in 11 of their last 14 games as favorites.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in eight of their last nine games as favorites when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Ten of the Kings’ last 11 games following a shootout win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Blue Jackets’ last three home games against the Kings following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 14 games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last six games as road underdogs.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Zach Werenski has scored at least one goal in seven of his last eight appearances with the Blue Jackets as favorites.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in 25 of his last 28 appearances with the Blue Jackets as home favorites.
- Kirill Marchenko ranks T1st in the league for shootout goals (5) this season.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Corey Perry has scored a goal in four of his last five road appearances against the Blue Jackets.
- Kevin Fiala has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven road appearances against the Blue Jackets.
- Adrian Kempe ranks T1st in the league for shootout goals (5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 28th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (75.35%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 25th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.29).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (15.23%).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.74).
Blue Jackets vs Kings Prediction
The Kings have played their best hockey on the road this season, but these last couple of weeks haven’t been great, and their offense goes into hiding quickly. These last two weeks is the best stretch of hockey the Blue Jackets have played all season, and lighting up the Lightning for 8 goals should be a confidence booster. The Blue Jackets beat the Kings on the road last month as an underdog. You have to like what you’re seeing from the Blue Jackets at the moment. I’ll side with the home team and the cheap price.