The Los Angeles Kings (7-5-4) and Montreal Canadiens (10-3-2) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Canadiens are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (-105 / -115). The Canadiens are a -120 favorite to win outright, while the Kings are +100 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Kings vs. Canadiens predictions and NHL picks.
Kings vs. Canadiens Odds, Pick
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -260 | 6 -105o / -115u | +100 |
| Canadiens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +210 | 6 -105o / -115u | -120 |
- Kings vs. Canadiens Spread: Kings +1.5 (-260), Canadiens -1.5 (+210)
- Kings vs. Canadiens Over/Under: 6 (-105 / -115)
- Kings vs. Canadiens Moneyline: Kings +100, Canadiens -120
Kings vs. Canadiens Preview
Los Angeles Kings
In the final year of Anze Kopitar’s Hall of Fame career, the Los Angeles Kings are likely to struggle to reach the playoffs. Their window of contention is probably behind them, especially when stacked up against a young Western Conference that’s as deep as it has been in years.
The Kings are currently just outside the wild-card picture, but there’s still a majority of the season left to play. However, there’s a lot to clean up for this group if it hopes to make any noise in the postseason, if it gets there.
First, Los Angeles has struggled to generate high-danger scoring chances. Entering this matchup, it ranks 29th in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
The Kings have also struggled on special teams, ranking 20th in power-play percentage. With this lack of offensive efficiency at both even strength and on the man advantage, Los Angeles ranks 23rd in goals scored per game.
Not that the defense has been much better. This season, the Kings rank in the bottom half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
The one bright spot for this group has been the play of goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who’s expected to start between the pipes Tuesday. That said, he has struggled against the Montreal Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens
Over his past five starts against the Habs, Kuemper has just an .875 save percentage. Montreal’s offensive success is likely to continue against him, as this group is firing on all cylinders this season.
Currently sitting atop the Atlantic Division, the Canadiens carry an impressive 10-3-2 record into this contest. The main reason for that success is their aforementioned offense, as Montreal ranks fourth in goals scored per game.
Not only do the Habs outrank the Kings statistically, but they’ve also been better analytically. This season, Montreal outranks Los Angeles in both xGF/60 and xGA/60.
Kings vs. Canadiens Prediction
The only reason this line is close to a pick ’em is because the goaltending edge goes to the Kings. Kuemper has a better save percentage and goals-against average than Montreal’s Sam Montembeault, who’s projected to get the nod between the pipes.
That said, Kuemper has previously struggled against this offense, while Montembeault has held his own against the Kings. Over the past two meetings, Montembeault has posted a .904 save percentage.
Pick: Canadiens ML (-115 | Play to -120)
