The Los Angeles Kings and the Buffalo Sabres meet Thursday night in NHL action from the KeyBank Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Buffalo Sabres vs LA Kings Prediction.
Los Angeles Kings Team Preview
The Los Angeles Kings come into the 2024-25 season looking to build on another competitive effort, finishing the year 44-27-11, a third straight 3rd-place finish in the Pacific division standings, and also a third straight first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, this one in five games. Trevor Moore is back after logging a team-high 31 goals and Adrian Kempe also returns after logging a team-high 75 points while Quinton Byfield is hoping to add on to his breakout total from last season, logging 20 goals and 55 points. The Kings added some forward depth with Warren Foegele and Tanner Jeannot, but work still has to be done with the Kings to make this team a contender.
There are a lot of question marks for the Kings defensively, with Drew Doughty fracturing his ankle in the preseason but there are plenty of pieces ready to be the next man up, including Mikey Anderson, Doughty’s defensive partner, and rookie Brandt Clarke. The Kings will have a new look between the pipes after cutting ties with Cam Talbot but brought in Darcy Kuemper from Washington to line up alongside David Rittich for L.A. The Kings will meet the Senators after this game.
Why the Los Angeles Kings will win
- The Kings have won each of their last three games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have lost three of their last four games.
- The Kings have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine road openers.
Buffalo Sabres Recap
The Buffalo Sabres are hoping to be aided by some home cooking after looking bad in their first two games to start the year over in Europe after a 3-1 loss in their last game to the New Jersey Devils.
Sabres Looking For Answers At Home
Tage Thompson and Owen Power have accounted for the two goals for the Buffalo Sabres this season while Jordan Greenway, Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka, and Bowen Byram have accounted for the assists up to this point. Dylan Cozens has logged a team-high 8 shots so far this season while Greenway and Thompson have each logged 6 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Kings have lost each of their last six road games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Sabres have won each of their last three games as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as home underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
Buffalo Sabres vs LA Kings Prediction
I’m on the Kings here. I just need to see the Sabres turn things around before I give them any benefit of the doubt. I backed them in both Europe games and proceeded to have it blow up square in my face. The Kings started out the year on fire on the road, and while it may take the Kings time to get their feet underneath them, I think Los Angeles finds a way to get it done here. Give me the Kings.