In this article we will formulate a Kings vs Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, October 16th at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings are 1-2-1 this year after they lost to Minnesota by a score of 4-3 in a shootout in their last game. Los Angeles scored three goals in the third period to tie the game, but ended up losing in a lengthy shootout. The Kings out shot Minnesota by a total of 34-26, won 48.6% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles also recorded 24 hits and 10 blocked shots in the loss. The Kings got goals from Byfield, Fiala, and Kempe, while Danault led the team with five hits in the game. Los Angeles started Kuemper, who stopped 23 out of 26 shots, which was an .885 save percentage.
Los Angeles also has losses to Colorado and Winnipeg, but did get a win against Vegas in their second game. The Kings have scored 2.75 goals per game and they have allowed 3.75 goals against per game, while also going 23.1% on the power play and 68.2% on the penalty kill this season. Adrian Kempe has led LA with two goals and three assists, while Byfield and Kopitar both have four points. The projected starting goalie for Los Angeles is Anton Forsberg, who is 1-0-0 with a 4.66 goals against average and an .857 save percentage this year.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 2-2-0 this season after they lost to Anaheim by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Pittsburgh led 2-0 early in the game, but they needed a goal late in the second to tie it, before losing in the third. The Penguins out shot Anaheim by a total of 25-22, won 48.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh also recorded 16 hits and 26 blocked shots in the loss. The Penguins got goals from Brazeau, Mantha, and Rakell, while Clifton led the team with eight hits. Pittsburgh started Jarry, who stopped 18 out of 22 shots in the game, which was an .818 save percentage.
Pittsburgh also has a loss to the Rangers, but did win their first two games against the Islanders and Rangers. The Penguins have scored 2.75 goals per game and they have allowed 3.25 goals against per game, while also going 18.2% on the power play and 73.3% on the penalty kill this season. Evgeni Malkin has led Pittsburgh with six assists, while Brazeau and Crosby both have four points. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Arturs Silovs, who is 1-1-0 with a 3.01 goals against average and an .891 save percentage this season.
Why the Los Angeles Kings will win
- The Kings have won 11 of their last 12 home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have lost 11 of their last 12 road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Kings have covered the puck line in each of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Kings have won the third period in each of their last seven games as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents when leading after the second period.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The underdogs have won seven of the Penguins’ last eight games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Kings have lost seven of their last eight games.
- The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in 10 of their last 11 home games after coming off overtime.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs.
- The Kings have lost the third period in each of their last six games after coming off overtime.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last six Thursday games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Kings’ last six games after coming off a shootout have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the last nine Thursday night games between teams from different conferences have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last 11 night games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last four road games against the Kings.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Adrian Kempe has scored at least one goal in each of the Kings’ last five games against the Penguins.
- Adrian Kempe has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances with the Kings as favorites.
- Adrian Kempe has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven appearances with the Kings as favorites.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Justin Brazeau has scored at least one goal in three of the Penguins’ last four games.
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances with the Penguins as road underdogs.
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Penguins’ last four games as road underdogs.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 27th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (68.18%).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank T1st in the league in penalty minutes this season (68).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have suffered the equal-largest margin of defeat in the NHL this season (5-goals vs Rangers on October, 11).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have suffered the equal-largest margin of defeat in a home game this season (5-goals vs Rangers on October, 11).
Kings vs Penguins Prediction
Both of these teams come into this contest on two game losing streaks, so this is a big game for each side. The Penguins are 1-1-0 on the road this year, while the Kings are 0-1-0 at home. Los Angeles has had some issues scoring this year, but they will face a Pittsburgh team that has allowed 10 goals in their last two games. Both of these teams have been playing in higher scoring games so far this season, so I will back the over once again.