Canucks vs Kings Prediction & Preview (Tuesday, March 5)
Photo by Rob Curtis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Phillip Danault (left) and Kevin Fiala.
Canucks vs Kings Odds
| Canucks Odds | -110 |
| Kings Odds | -110 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -130o / +106u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Vancouver Canucks vs Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, March 5 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
It's been a roller-coaster of a ride for the Los Angeles Kings this year.
L.A. started hot, sitting near the top of the Pacific Division standings through the first few months of the season. Then, late in 2023, they started to spiral. From Dec. 28 through Jan. 28, the Kings lost 14-of-16, falling outside of the playoff picture.
A coaching change later, the Kings have won nine of their last 13 to move within one point of the Vegas Golden Knights for third spot in the Division. The more significant victory would be avoiding the perils of the wild card spot and having to take on a division leader.
Coincidentally, they face one of the potential division winners on Tuesday as they host the Vancouver Canucks at the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. Canucks vs Kings odds indicate a tight affair as both teams are -110 on the moneyline (at FanDuel) with an over/under set at 5.5 goals.
The Canucks are in the driver's seat in the Pacific Division, albeit facing increased pressure from the Edmonton Oilers. That amplifies the intensity in Tuesday's battle, with the Kings and Canucks looking to insulate their playoff positions.
Let's get into my Canucks vs Kings preview and prediction.
Vancouver's early-season success has been tempered lately.
Losers of six of their past eight, the Canucks have given up a lot of ground at a pivotal time of year. Heading into Tuesday night's action, the 'Nucks are nine points up on the Oilers, with Edmonton having four games in hand.
Its record doesn't reflect it, but Vancouver continues to put forth elite efforts. The Canucks' puck luck has abandoned them over their recent sample. Across the eight-game sample, Vancouver's PDO has dipped to 0.952. That correction was inevitable, as the Canucks have led the league for most of the season, but it's not reflective of their on-ice product.
Vancouver remains a top analytics team, and that remains evident throughout its slide. It sits 10th in the NHL with a 51.5% expected goals-for rating, with positive relative metrics across the board.
However, the Canucks' expected goals-for benchmark has ratcheted higher during their recent stretch, jumping to 55.5% and ranking third in the league.
As it stands, Vancouver's analytics are contraindicated in its outcomes. That makes this team a natural progression candidate in its upcoming games.
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Not to be outdone, the Kings' success is also grounded in elite analytics. Objectively, even better than the Canucks.
Although they've been slightly less assertive more recently, the Kings' season-long expected goals-for rating of 55.0% puts them fourth in the league. That means Vancouver will have to bring its A-game to breakthrough.
However, L.A.'s underlying metrics are starting to deteriorate.
The Kings have been outplayed in two of their previous four, yielding a disappointing 46.0% expected goals-for rating. But it's also worth noting that three of those contests came on the road.
Still, Los Angeles remains one of the most stout defensive teams in the NHL. Pointing the lens further back, the Kings have limited six of their last eight opponents to two or fewer goals at 5-on-5. Moreover, six of the 10 goals over that stretch came against the Oilers and Calgary Flames, highlighting the Kings' typically impenetrable structure.
That strength is even more evident at home, where the Kings limit opponents to an average of 6.9 high-danger and 19.0 scoring opportunities, ranking first and fifth, respectively. T
hat's the type of effort needed to limit the Canucks on Tuesday night.
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Canucks vs Kings
Betting Pick & Prediction
When these teams met last week, the Kings escaped with a 5-1 victory in hostile territory. Now, the Canucks can return the favor, but not without a fight.
Both teams are strong analytically, with the edge going to the visitors thanks to their improved play more recently. Still, we can't discount the Kings' home-ice advantage, solid play or desperation as they cling to their postseason aspirations.
As such, our money is on this one being a tightly contested affair that needs more than 60 minutes to determine a winner. FanDuel is hanging the 60-minute tie at +340, but it's worth playing at +325 or better.
Pick: 60-Minute Tie +340 (FanDuel)
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