LA Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction 4-18-24 Picks

In this article we will formulate a Kings vs Blackhawks prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 18th at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Let’s take a look at the regular season finale for both teams. 

Kings Preview

The Los Angeles Kings are 43-27-11 this season after they lost to Minnesota by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Los Angeles trailed 3-0 in the third period, but they did get a late goal to avoid the shutout. The Kings were out shot by a total of 28-24 and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles defeated Anaheim by a score of 3-1 and Calgary by a score of 4-1 in the two games prior to Minnesota. The Kings are scoring 3.07 goals per game and they are allowing 2.54 goals against per game, while going 22.1% on the power play and 84.9% on the penalty kill. Kevin Fiala has led LA with 27 goals, 46 assists, and 245 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Los Angeles is Cam Talbot, who is 26-19-6 this year with a 2.47 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. 

Blackhawks Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks are 23-53-5 this year after they lost to Vegas by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Chicago cut the lead to 2-1 in the third period, but allowed an empty net goal in the loss. The Blackhawks were out shot by a total of 37-23 and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Chicago has also lost to Carolina, Nashville, St. Louis, and Minnesota during this losing streak. The Blackhawks are scoring 2.15 goals per game and they are allowing 3.51 goals against per game, while going 16.2% on the power play and 76.2% on the penalty kill. Connor Bedard has led Chicago with 22 goals, 39 assists, and 205 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Petr Mrazek, who is 18-31-4 this season with a 3.05 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. 

Los Angeles Kings Team Facts

• The Kings have won each of their last seven home games against the Blackhawks following a loss.
• The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Kings have won the second period in eight of their last nine games at Crypto.com Arena.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Kings’ last eight games against opponents on a losing streak.

Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts

• The Blackhawks have lost each of their last nine Thursday games.
• The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Blackhawks’ last five games.
• The Blackhawks have lost the second period in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last eight games following a road loss.

Kings vs Blackhawks Prediction

Los Angeles is one of the few teams that is still playing for playoff seeding, as they need a win and some help to avoid playing Dallas in the first round. If the Kings can win and Vegas loses, LA will move to the third spot in the Pacific and play Edmonton. On the other side, Chicago has lost five games in a row and they have scored two goals or fewer in all five games. The Blackhawks have been one of the worst teams in the NHL this season and their offense has been very low scoring. I think the Kings are going to come out strong in this game and I expect them to run away with this game. There isn’t a ton of value with the Kings, so I would look at taking the Kings -2.5 here.