The Los Angeles Kings (23-18-14) and Vegas Golden Knights (26-16-14) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 10:00 p.m. EST at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Golden Knights are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (+100o / -120u). The Golden Knights are a -130 favorite to win outright, while the Kings are +110 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Kings vs. Golden Knights predictions and NHL picks.
Kings vs. Golden Knights Odds, Pick
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -230 | 6 100o / -120u | +110 |
| Golden Knights Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +190 | 6 100o / -120u | -130 |
- Kings vs. Golden Knights Spread: Golden Knights -1.5 (+190), Kings +1.5 (-230)
- Kings vs. Golden Knights Over/Under: 6 (+100o/ -120u)
- Kings vs. Golden Knights Moneyline: Kings +110, Golden Knights -130
Kings vs. Golden Knights Preview
Los Angeles Kings
The big headline at the Olympic roster freeze yesterday was Los Angeles swinging a deal for Artemi Panarin, and it’s easy to see why they felt the need to make a move.
The Kings have been starving for offense all season, scoring 141 goals through 55 games, the second fewest in the league, despite being one of the stingiest defensive teams. They’ve allowed just 151 goals and have been especially strong 5-on-5, where they hold the third-lowest xGA/60.
Finishing scoring chances has been a real issue. They sit at a staggering -23.53 GFAx this season and a well-above-average expected goal share of 51.66% at even strength.
Panarin will obviously not be in the lineup tonight after being traded within the last 24 hours, but his arrival should inject life into a team trying to put together a playoff run and generate offense after getting knocked out by Edmonton in the first round each of the last four years.
The Kings will need a spark tonight as they play the second half of a back-to-back following a 4-2 loss to Seattle. With Darcy Kuemper starting that game, Anton Forsberg is the likely option in net, and he has been excellent.
Forsberg is 3-0-2 over his last five appearances with a 2.06 GAA and .933 save percentage. That strong play goes back even further. Over his last 10 games, he holds a 12.6 GSAx rating, second-best in the league over that stretch.
He has not lost in regulation in his last six outings, allowing just 10 goals on 153 shots over that span.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights had lost seven of their last eight entering last night, but they took care of business against Vancouver with a 5-2 win, snapping a five-game losing streak.
Ivan Barbashev scored in that one and has now found the net in four straight. He appears to be back in a groove after briefly being bumped down to the third line during a month-long goal drought. Vegas has found some success this season mixing and matching Barbashev and Eichel with different linemates, and that flexibility seems to be paying off again.
Entering this matchup, though, the Knights rank 24th in xGF/60 over their last 10 games, something they’ll need to solve tonight against a solid defensive team.
Akira Schmid was in net on Wednesday, so Adin Hill is expected to get the nod between the pipes tonight.
Hill has struggled since coming off injured reserve in mid-January, posting a 3.98 GAA and .837 save percentage. It has been a difficult season overall for Hill following a six-year contract extension last March, as he has recorded a -11.9 GSAx rating over 11 games.
Kings vs. Golden Knights Prediction
If there’s one thing the Kings are used to, it’s playing tight games. It feels like every other night heads to overtime, and that is not far from the truth. No team in the league has gone to an extra period more than Los Angeles, which has already played 23 overtime games this season, winning nine.
Interestingly, Vegas ranks third in that category, playing 21 overtime games and winning seven of them.
With that in mind, and with both teams playing the second half of a back-to-back, this matchup sets up as another close one.
The Kings should have the edge in net, and they are 18-1-7 this season when they score at least three goals. Given the way Adin Hill has looked recently, that three-goal mark feels very attainable.
All things considered, this is a strong spot to back a road underdog. I took this when the lines were at +120 in favor of the Kings, and since then, the lines dropped to +110, so I would consider getting in before it begins to lose value.
Pick: Kings Moneyline (+120)
