The Los Angeles Kings (34-26-19) and Seattle Kraken (34-34-11) will face off Monday evening. Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. EDT at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Wash. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Kings are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-125o / +105u). The Kings are a -149 favorite to win outright, while the Kraken are +124 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Kings vs. Kraken predictions and NHL picks.
Kings vs. Kraken Odds, Pick
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +171 | 5.5 -125o / +105u | -149 |
| Kraken Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -210 | 5.5 -125o / +105u | +124 |
- Kings vs. Kraken Spread: Kings -1.5 (+171), Kraken +1.5 (-210)
- Kings vs. Kraken Over/Under: 5.5 (-125o / +105u)
- Kings vs. Kraken Moneyline: Kings -149, Kraken +124
Kings vs Kraken Kalshi Odds
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Kings vs. Kraken Preview
Los Angeles Kings
Thanks to their current four-game winning streak, the Kings are now massive favourites to make the playoffs, particularly because their final two matchups come versus the Kraken and Calgary Flames.
At the time of Kevin Fiala's season-ending injury, the Kings were priced at +200 to miss the playoffs, which was a bet I was high on, but that ultimately will likely come up short. Los Angeles has earned just 21 wins in regulation and has lost 11 more times than it has won, and has been the biggest benefactor of the NHL's current points system, which does not reward winning in regulation.
Though the way Los Angeles will likely earn its playoff berth is controversial, it has played at a respectable level down the stretch. In 23 games since the Olympic break, the Kings hold a 52.88% expected goal share, though they have been outscored where it counts in scoring 3.00 goals per game while allowing 3.17 goals against per game.
Artemi Panarin has performed as expected since being acquired, offering the team the legitimate offensive superstar it has lacked throughout the previous several seasons, particularly as Adrian Kempe has had a down year. Panarin has put up 26 points in 23 games since joining the team and made them a much more formidable side offensively than they were in the first two-thirds of the year.
Anton Forsberg has recently overtaken Darcy Kuemper as the Kings' number-one starter in goal, as he has started each of the last three games. Forsberg holds a +10.4 GSAx rating and a .909 save percentage across 34 appearances. They have not yet named a starter for this game, but it seems logical for Los Angeles to keep riding Forsberg in this spot.
Seattle Kraken
Since the Olympic break, the Kraken have held a 30th-ranked record of 7-14-2 and have scored just 2.57 goals per game in that span. They have generated just 2.90 xGF/60 in that span, which is the second-worst mark in the NHL.
For their entire existence, the Kraken have lacked a true offensive star, and that point has been particularly notable this season as many of their depth scorers have been less effective than expected. Their horrid finish to the season is likely to be a blessing in disguise, as they were never likely to have any real success in the postseason, and a potential top-five pick is key to the long-term outlook for the franchise.
Bobby McMann has been solid since coming over at the trade deadline with 13 points in 15 games, but former top-line winger Jared McCann has produced only four goals and seven points since losing his spot on the top line. So while McMann is outperforming McCann to some extent in the same role, the actual offensive value added by McMann is not quite as convincing as it seems when you consider how McCann would likely have produced in his former role.
With Philipp Grubauer, Joey Daccord and Matt Murray all unavailable to play, Niklas Kokko will likely make his second NHL start in this matchup. Kokko stopped 26 of 27 shots faced versus the Flames on Saturday, and holds a .903 save percentage across 34 AHL appearances this season.
Kings vs. Kraken Prediction
This is the Kraken's final home game of the season, and they may offer a surprisingly high level of urgency in looking to play the role of spoiler. While I do believe the Kraken will show some fight in this matchup, their offensive upside appears to be very limited, and the Kings have played quite well defensively of late and received strong play in goal from Forsberg.
Over the last three games, Los Angeles has allowed only four goals against. It should look to lean on its defensive upside in Monday's matchup, and at +102, I see value in backing the Kraken to score less than 2.5 goals in Monday's matchup.
Pick: Seattle Kraken Team Total Under 2.5 Goals +102 (FanDuel, Play to -110)
