The Los Angeles Kings (25-23-14) and Columbus Blue Jackets (32-21-9) meet in the NHL today. Puck drop is set for 4:00 p.m. EDT at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Blue Jackets are favored by 1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-135o / +114u). The Blue Jackets are a -130 favorite to win outright, while the Kings are +110 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Kings vs. Blue Jackets predictions and NHL picks.
Kings vs. Blue Jackets Odds, Pick
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -250 | 5.5 -135o / 114u | +110 |
| Blue Jackets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +205 | 5.5 -135o / 114u | -130 |
- Kings vs. Blue Jackets Spread: Kings +1.5 (-250), Blue Jackets -1.5 (+205)
- Kings vs. Blue Jackets Over/Under: 5.5 (-135o / +114u)
- Kings vs. Blue Jackets Moneyline: Kings +110, Blue Jackets -130
Kings vs. Blue Jackets Preview
Los Angeles Kings
I've faded the Kings all season long, and they've been proving me right, even after trading for Artemi Panarin.
The problem with Los Angeles is one I've had with the Islanders for many years. This is a team that is too old, has too many miles on it, and can't keep up with the youth in this league.
And even after returning from a three-week break, the Kings are playing to a bottom-10 5-on-5 pace, driving play at a 46.68 xGF% and a 3.23 xGA/60.
It doesn’t help that they’ve had to prepare for life without Kevin Fiala, an exceptional playmaker with a ton of skill, and the decent goal scorer Andrei Kuzmenko.
I do think the addition of Scott Laughton will help instill some energy into this squad. He’s a quality locker room addition, who plays hard and likes to throw the body around. Not only that, he’s one of the better faceoff guys in the league.
On the goaltending front, L.A. has gotten really solid production from both Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg, with Forsberg getting the slight edge with his 5.2 GSAx over his last 10 starts.
Whatever the Kings do on the ice, they’ll be well protected in net, but they cannot let them out to dry as they have since returning from the break.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus has been one of the NHL’s hottest teams with points in five straight games, and I have a feeling it’s only going to get better after adding Connor Garland.
I’ve always been a sucker for sickos on the ice, and Garland is the epitome of a sicko. He’s not the type of player who seeks out a fight, but one who enjoys getting under opponents' skin. He’s truly the type of player that can inject some life into the locker room.
There’s a ton of talent here on this squad, led by gold medalist Zach Werenski and goalscorer Kirill Marchenko.
Since the Olympics, Columbus has played to a solid 5-on-5 game, with a top-15 expected goals percentage of 51.84 and a 2.86 xGA/60 on the defensive side of the puck.
The Blue Jackets have an interesting duo in net with Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins. Greaves has offered the most stability to this team, while Merzlikins is very boom-or-bust.
I anticipate Greaves getting the nod here after Merzlikins started in the overtime loss to Utah. That should help greatly for the Jackets as Greaves is playing to a .909 SV% and a 5.9 GSAx in his last 10 starts.
Kings vs. Blue Jackets Prediction
If it ain’t broke…
We’re going to fade the Kings today because even though they’re a solid road team, they have lost three out of their last four road games.
And given how morbid this team has looked, I can see Columbus skating circles around them.
The Jackets hold a 17-8-5 record at Nationwide Arena, including capturing points in eight straight games.
Given that both teams are playing at polar opposite levels right now, we’re going to ride the hot hand and hop on the ‘Lumbus.
Pick: Blue Jackets Moneyline (-130)
