Coyotes vs. Kings Odds, Preview, Prediction: Back Favored Los Angeles to Down Arizona (Nov. 21)

Coyotes vs. Kings Odds

The Los Angeles Kings host the Arizona Coyotes in Sunday’s NHL action. Both teams are coming off losses the day before and look to get back into the win column.

Sitting fifth in the Pacific Division, the Kings are looking to get back into their playoff ways. Prior to losing three consecutive games, Los Angeles was setting the league on fire with seven victories in a row. The team looks to get back in the win column against struggling Arizona.

Hockey personality Paul Bissonette once said about the Arizona Coyotes that “you have to get worse in order to get better.” Most teams have managed to have their way with the Coyotes and it’s shown in their record at 3-13-2, good enough for last in the NHL.

Arizona Coyotes

Things will get better in the desert, but it will definitely take time since Arizona is in the first year of an extensive rebuild. Despite the struggles, though, there have been a number of bright spots.

Defenseman  Shayne Gostisbehere has revitalized his career by putting up 13 points. Lawson Crouse is playing like the top-10 pick he was a few years ago and Clayton Keller will always be relied on to put a few pucks in the net. The talent is certainly there, but a ton of holes need to be filled first.

It shouldn’t be a surprise the Coyotes are one of the worst teams in driving play. They currently stand 32nd in expected goals per 60 minutes with a 1.6 xGF and have generated 126 high danger chances, which is in the bottom 10 in the league.

Since claiming goaltender Scott Wedgewood, he’s looking to take the reins as the No. 1 netminder. In the five games he’s played, Wedgewood holds a 3-1-1 record with a .940 SV% and a 2.7 GSAx, which is astounding given the team in front of him.

However, backup Karel Vejmelka hasn’t been as solid, posting only a .897 SV% and a lowly -4.4 GSAx. Since Wedgewood helped carry the Coyotes to victory, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Vejmelka take the crease in this bout.

Los Angeles Kings

After a few years of placing in the bottom of the standings, it seems like the Kings are ready to take another step in their new chapter. Captain Anze Kopitar is playing at a point per game; Alex Iafallo is proving to be a top contributor; and, Philip Danault is the defensive center they have been looking for on the ice.

Factor in the young talent they have coming up and things look to be on the upswing in sunny California.

The talent might be evident, but driving play hasn’t been a strength for Los Angeles. While they do generate a  ton of high danger scoring chances (161 all season), they have a very low xG/60 minutes rate at 2.25 xGF. As the young guys get more experience and the combination of the proven veterans, I expect that number to only get better.

Goaltending has been a major surprise. While it seemed like veteran netminder Jonathan Quick was on the backend of his career, he’s suddenly had a resurgence.

Coming into this game, Quick is posting a .940 SV% and an 8.9 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx), which is among the best in the league. While his partner Cal Petersen could be better, he’s been fine with a .902 SV% and a -1.5 GSAx. With Petersen starting Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes, expect Quick to get the backend of the back-to-back set.

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Coyotes vs. Kings Pick

The Kings have a number of top performers, which makes me believe they will put the franchise over the hump.

Arizona has had its first solid stretch all season and it will potentially continue. However, I don’t see it carrying into this game, especially with Quick in net for Los Angeles.

After losing three consecutive games, I see the Kings getting out of their funk and taking this game.

Pick: Los Angeles ML (-220)