The Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings meet Saturday in NHL action at the crypto.com Arena. Here’s a Kings vs. Maple Leafs Prediction. This article will include a Kings vs. Maple Leafs Pick.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Sharks, beat the Ducks, and play the Capitals next. The Maple Leafs have lost 5 of their last 8 games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are averaging 3.09 goals per game and are scoring 20.1 percent of their power-play opportunities. John Tavares leads Toronto with 29 goals, William Nylander has 46 assists, and Auston Matthews has 227 shots on goal. Defensively, the Toronto Maple Leafs are allowing 3.47 goals per game and are killing 81.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Joseph Woll has allowed 110 goals on 1,140 shots faced, while Dennis Hildeby has given up 46 goals on 511 shots.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings beat the Blues and lost to the Predators, and they play the Predators next. The Kings have lost 6 of their last 8 games.
The Los Angeles Kings are averaging 2.63 goals per game and are scoring on 17.5 percent of their power-play opportunities. Adrian Kempe leads Los Angeles with 30 goals, Brandt Clarke has 30 assists, and Alex Laferriere has 185 shots on goal. Defensively, the Los Angeles Kings are allowing 2.92 goals per game and are killing 75.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Darcy Kuemper has given up 124 goals on 1,189 shots faced, while Anton Forsberg has allowed 79 goals on 817 shots.
Why the Los Angeles Kings will win
- The Maple Leafs have lost each of their last five Saturday games.
- The home team has won three of the Maple Leafs’ last four games.
- The home team has covered the puck line in three of the Maple Leafs’ last four games.
- The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four day games.
- The Kings have won the second period in seven of their last eight day games at Crypto.com Arena when tied after the first period.
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs will win
- The Kings have lost each of their last six day games after coming off overtime.
- The underdogs have won four of the Maple Leafs’ last five games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 13 games as home favorites after coming off overtime.
- The road team has covered the puck line in eight of the Kings’ last nine games.
- The Kings have lost the second period in eight of their last nine home games when leading after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Kings’ last seven games following a shootout loss has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Maple Leafs’ last nine day games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last 11 home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last six games following a road loss.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances with his team as a home favorite.
- Kevin Fiala has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances in day games at Crypto.com Arena.
- Drew Doughty has recorded two assists against the Maple Leafs this season, equal to his most against any opponent.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- John Tavares has scored at least one goal in seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- William Nylander has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
- Steven Lorentz has recorded a faceoff win percentage of 66.7% against the Kings this season—equal to his highest against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 29th in the league for goals per game this season (2.63).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (75.44%).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.47).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank T5th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.90%).
Kings vs Maple Leafs Prediction
The Maple Leafs have nothing to play for and they’re looking like it more and more. The Leafs have also had issues on the road all season. The Kings haven’t had their best results on their home ice but they’re in the thick of the playoff race and if it’s going to remain that way, these are games they must win. No excuses. The Kings need this game. I’ll side with the Kings and I’ll lay the PL to shave down the price.