In this article we will formulate a Blues vs Kings prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 24th at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
St. Louis Blues Betting Preview
The St. Louis Blues are 19-24-8 this season after they lost to Dallas by a score of 3-2 in their last game. St. Louis led 2-1 in the second period, but they allowed a goal in the second and another with 60 seconds left in the third for the loss. The Blues out shot Dallas by a total of 22-19, won 40.4% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. St. Louis got goals from Buchnevich and Dvorsky, while Binnington stopped 16 out of 19 shots, which was an .842 save percentage.
Prior to that game, St. Louis lost to the Jets by a score of 3-1 and the Oilers by a score of 5-0. The Blues have lost three games in a row and they are currently last in the Central standings with 46 points. St. Louis has scored 2.40 goals per game and they have allowed 3.38 goals against per game, while also going 16.5% on the power play and 74.8% on the penalty kill this season. Pavel Buchnevich has led St. Louis with nine goals and 18 assists, while Justin Faulk has added 11 goals and 12 assists. The projected starting goalie for St. Louis is Joel Hofer, who is 11-10-2 with a 2.73 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this season.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings are 20-16-13 this year after they defeated the Rangers by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Los Angeles scored twice in the second period to take the lead, but barely held on for the win in the third. The Kings were out shot by a total of 36-27, won 28.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles got goals from Fiala, Kempe, Kuzmenko, and Ward, while Forsberg stopped 27 out of 28 shots, which was a .964 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Los Angeles lost to the Ducks in back to back games by scores of 2-1 and 3-2. The Kings have lost four of their last five games and they are currently fifth in the Pacific standings with 53 points. Los Angeles has scored 2.57 goals per game and they have allowed 2.71 goals against per game, while also going 15.5% on the power play and 77.5% on the penalty kill this season. Adrian Kempe has led LA with 17 goals and 21 assists, while Kevin Fiala has added 18 goals and 18 assists. The projected starting goalie for Los Angeles is Darcy Kuemper, who is 12-9-9 with a 2.52 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this year.
Why the Los Angeles Kings will win
- The Blues have lost each of their last seven night games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Kings have won seven of their last eight games against the Blues following a win.
- The Kings have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games at Enterprise Center against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Blues have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six night games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Kings have won the third period in each of their last four games as favorites against Western Conference opponents when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last six night games between the Kings and Blues have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Kings’ last four games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last 10 road games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blues’ last seven games against Pacific Division opponents.
St. Louis Blues Player Prop Facts
- Cam Fowler has recorded an assist in four of his last five appearances with his team as an underdog against the Kings.
- Justin Faulk has scored a goal in three of the Blues’ last four games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Drew Doughty has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six Saturday appearances against the Blues.
- Joel Armia has scored at least one goal in four of his last five road appearances against Central Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The St. Louis Blues rank 32nd in the league for goals per game this season (2.39).
- The St. Louis Blues rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (74.26%).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.57).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 30th in the league in power play percentage this season (15.54%).
Blues vs Kings Prediction
St. Louis comes into this matchup on a three game losing streak and they have scored two regulation goals or fewer in four straight games. The Blues are 12-9-5 at home this year, while the Kings are 12-6-6 on the road. Los Angeles snapped their losing streak with a win last time out, but they have scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five. Neither team is very good at scoring goals, but LA is the better defensive team and St. Louis is on a back to back, so give me the Kings here.