NHL Odds and Prediction: Kings vs. Canucks (April 28)

Kings vs. Canucks Odds

We have a Pacific Division tilt here, as the third-place Los Angeles Kings travel to Vancouver to take on the fifth-place Canucks.

This is the third meeting between these two teams this season, as the home team has won each of the first two matchups.

Will this trend continue in this game, or can the Kings pull off the upset as a road underdog?

Kings Resting Key Players

The Los Angeles Kings enter this contest on the second half of a road back-to-back to close out their regular season. Los Angeles is now fully preparing for the playoffs, as it rested all of its key players during Wednesday's game against the Kraken.

There is no reason to believe the Kings will do otherwise against Vancouver, which makes Los Angeles a good fade candidate in this game. The Kings have nothing to play for, as they begin to prepare for their first-round matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.

Already playing with a thin roster due to all of the healthy scratches, the Kings will have a lot of tired legs out there on the second half of a road back-to-back.

Cal Petersen is the projected starting goaltender for the Kings, and he has had a tough year, as he possesses a mere 0.895 save percentage.

His numbers decline even further when playing on the road this season, posting a 0.888 save percentage. Petersen lost his one start against the Canucks this season, as he allowed four goals on 30 shots for a 0.867 save percentage.

Canucks Motivated For Final Home Game?

The Vancouver Canucks enter this matchup following Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken.

For the Canucks, Tuesday's victory was yet another successful game when priced as the betting favorite. When priced as the favorite, Vancouver is 4-1 over its last five games, with all four of those wins coming by at least a two-goal margin.

I expect a spirited effort from this Vancouver squad in its last home game of the season.

With Thatcher Demko's injury status still in question, backup goaltender Spencer Martin is the projected starter for this game. Martin has been outstanding through his four starts this season, as he boasts a 0.953 save percentage and 1.69 goals allowed average.

These four games were not all layups either, as he has gone against Florida, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Seattle.

Vancouver is much more rested than Los Angeles, and it should be able to take care of business against a team that is looking past it and towards the playoffs.

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Kings vs. Canucks Pick

Vancouver's moneyline is staying short right now due to the uncertainty of whether Los Angeles will rest all of its guys again. If it does, then this line will shoot up quickly.

I like Vancouver to take care of business either way because even if Los Angeles does play all of its big names, their minutes will still be limited to prevent any unnecessary injuries.

The Canucks beat Los Angeles 4-0 at home earlier this season, and I expect a similar result this time around.

Pick: Vancouver Canucks -1.5 (+185) | Play down to (+170)