The Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils meet Saturday in NHL action at the Prudential Center. Here’s a Devils vs. Kings prediction. This article will include a Devils vs. Kings pick.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings beat the Islanders and lost to the Bruins, and they play the Rangers next. The Kings have split their last 8 games.
The Los Angeles Kings are averaging 2.58 goals per game and are scoring on 16 percent of their power-play opportunities. Adrian Kempe leads Los Angeles with 26 goals, Brandt Clarke has 26 assists, and Alex Laferriere has 159 shots on goal. Defensively, the Los Angeles Kings are allowing 2.89 goals per game and are killing 76.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Darcy Kuemper has given up 105 goals on 1,021 shots faced, while Anton Forsberg has allowed 70 goals on 723 shots.
New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
The New Jersey Devils lost to the Red Wings and Flames, and they play the Bruins next. The Devils have split their last 8 games.
The New Jersey Devils are averaging 2.55 goals per game and are scoring 21.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Nico Hischier leads New Jersey with 21 goals, Jesper Bratt has 36 assists and Timo Meier has 215 shots on goal. Defensively, the New Jersey Devils are allowing 3.03 goals per game and are killing 80.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jacob Markstrom has allowed 110 goals on 963 shots faced, while Jake Allen has given up 75 goals on 797 shots.
Why the New Jersey Devils will win
- The Kings have lost seven of their last eight games following a road win.
- The Devils have won five of their last six night games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Devils have covered the puck line in five of their last six night games against the Kings following a loss.
- The Kings have lost the second period in each of their last seven road games when leading after the first period.
Why the Los Angeles Kings will win
- The Kings have won five of their last six games as an away underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Devils have lost each of their last three games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Devils have failed to cover the puck line in 22 of their last 23 night games at Prudential Center.
- The Kings have covered the puck line in each of their last eight away games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Kings have won the first period in four of their last five games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Kings’ last nine games as underdogs following a road win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the last five games between the Kings and Devils has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last eight games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Devils’ last 10 Saturday night games.
New Jersey Devils Player Prop Facts
- Dougie Hamilton has recorded an assist in each of the Devils’ last six games against Pacific Division opponents.
- Dougie Hamilton has recorded at least two shots in each of his last 14 appearances—the equal-longest active streak in the league.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Adrian Kempe has scored at least one goal in five of the Kings’ last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one assist in each of his last nine appearances with his team as a road underdog against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Artemi Panarin has recorded 32 career assists against the Devils—the most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The New Jersey Devils rank 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.55).
- The New Jersey Devils rank 32nd in the league in penalty minutes this season (466).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 29th in the league for goals per game this season (2.58).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.04%).
Devils vs Kings Prediction
The Devils continue to run hot and cold and their defense falls apart far too often. The Kings have played some of their best hockey on the road and they’re fighting for a playoff spot. We can’t say the same for the Devils. The Kings have been road warriors this season and have more to play for at this point. I’ll gladly take the more favorable price with the Kings on the road.