Kings vs Penguins Prediction
I’m not excited to lay juice with the Kings, but it beats the alternative of backing the Penguins. The Penguins have lost four straight games and have allowed 18 goals in that span. The Penguins have also earned points in just two of their eight road games. The Kings have issues of their own and have won just two of their six home games, but something has to give.
If the Kings can’t protect home ice against these Penguins in their current form, it’s time to hit the panic button. We’re not being asked to lay anything crazy. I’ll side with the Kings on their home ice, but it’s a fade of the Penguins more than anything.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Golden Knights and Bruins, and they play the Ducks next. The Penguins have lost 11 of their last 14 games. The Penguins are 1-6-1 on the road this season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.13 goals per game and are scoring 17.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Nick Robertson leads the Penguins with 7 goals, 0 assists, and 33 shots. Evgeni Malkin has 6 goals, 5 assists, and 28 shots. Tommy Novak has 5 goals, 7 assists, and 27 shots. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 3.56 goals per game and are killing 82.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 36 goals on 291 shots faced, and Segei Murashov has given up 19 goals on 147 shots.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Kings beat the Sharks, lost to the Sabres, and they play the Predators next. The Kings have lost 9 of their last 14 games. The Kings are 2-4-0 at home.
The Los Angeles Kings are averaging 3.07 goals per game and are scoring on 22.4 percent of their power-play opportunities. Artemi Panarin leads the Kings with 8 goals, 9 assists and 45 shots. Adrian Kempe has 6 goals, 6 assists and 45 shots. Quinton Byfield has 4 goals, 2 assists and 31 shots. Defensively, the Los Angeles Kings are allowing 3.36 goals per game and are killing 82.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Darcy Kuemper has given up 29 goals on 253 shots faced, and Anton Forsberg has allowed 14 goals on 143 shots.
Kings vs Penguins Injury Report
The Penguins will be without Trevor van Riemsdyk. Ryan Graves is out with a lower body injury. Bryan Rust is out with a lower body injury. Elmer Soderblom is out with an upper body injury.
The Kings will be without Jan Jenik, Jakub Dvorak, Kevin Fiala, Mats Zuccarello, and Alex Turcotte.
Why the Los Angeles Kings will win
- The Penguins have lost each of their last seven road games.
- The Kings have won five of their last six night games.
- The Kings have covered the puck line in each of their last five games.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Kings have won the first period in each of their last five games as home favorites.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The underdogs have won eight of the Penguins’ last nine games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Kings have lost seven of their last nine games as home favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Penguins’ last seven games.
- The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in 11 of their last 12 games as home favorites following a win.
- The Penguins have won the third period in each of their last six night games against the Kings following a loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Penguins’ last eight road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Kings’ last four games following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last five road games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last five home games against the Penguins.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
- Quinton Byfield has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances with the Kings as favorites.
- Brandt Clarke has recorded an assist in each of the Kings’ last four home games.
- Drew Doughty has recorded a positive plus-minus rating in each of his last four appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Evgeni Malkin has scored a goal in each of his last four road appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
- Erik Karlsson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Penguins’ last six road games.
- Kaedan Korczak has recorded 17 career blocks against the Kings – most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Los Angeles Kings rank 32nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (63.04%).
- The Los Angeles Kings rank T1st in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (0).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.56).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 32nd in the league in penalty minutes this season (102).