Kings vs. Kraken: NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction
Steph Chambers/Getty Images. Pictured: Oliver Bjorkstrand
- The Kraken host the Kings in Saturday night NHL action.
- The under has cashed in two of the previous three meetings between these teams and our expert is looking at the betting odds to see if the total is worth targeting again.
- Tony Sartori provides his best bet for Kings vs. Kraken below.
Kings vs. Kraken Odds
| Kings Odds | -106 |
| Kraken Odds | -113 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (+104/-128) |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | TVAS2 |
| Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
There is a Pacific Division tilt on Saturday evening with the fourth-place Seattle Kraken hosting the third-place Los Angeles Kings.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these clubs this season and the under has cashed in two of the first three matchups.
Here's a look at the odds, as well as my Kings vs. Kraken betting pick.
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings enter this contest amidst a flurry of low-scoring affairs. In fact, there have been six or fewer goals scored in nine of Los Angeles' past 13 games. Part of the reason for that trend is Los Angeles' elite two-way play.
At 5-on-5, the Kings rank fourth in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Not only does Los Angeles boast a deep blue line, but it also possesses a forward group with a bunch of great back checkers.
Anze Kopitar, Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore all make life extremely difficult for opposing skaters. Mix together a strong blue line with a forward group willing to play in all three zones, and it is not shocking the Kings prevent high-danger scoring chances at an elite level.
Backing up this strong defensive team is goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who has been tremendous between the pipes since getting shipped over from the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his seven starts with Los Angeles, Korpisalo is 4-2-1 with a .933 save percentage (SV%) and a 1.86 goals against average (GAA).
Based on his underlying metrics, regression is unlikely for the Finnish netminder. Among starting goaltenders, he ranks third in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.
Seattle Kraken
Perhaps one of the league's most underrated defensive teams, the Seattle Kraken rank seventh in xGA/60 at 5-on-5. While this team certainly isn't the hardest-hitting or biggest club, it does an excellent job of pressuring the puck at all times and rattling opposing skaters.
With that said, unsustainable offensive results are the primary reason for Seattle's 41-25-8 record. At 5-on-5, the Kraken rank first in the league in goals for per 60 minutes (GF/60), but are just 19th in xGF/60.
That expected regression could easily come to fruition against the Kings' strong two-way play. Furthermore, winger Andre Burakovsky, who was Seattle's leading point-scorer prior to his absence, remains sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Kings vs. Kraken Pick
The Kraken aren't the only team missing offensive talent in this matchup. Kevin Fiala and Gabriel Vilardi both missed Thursday's contest against the Edmonton Oilers, a game in which the Kings failed to find the back of the net.
Philipp Grubauer is slated to start between the pipes for Seattle and is the sole reason this total sits at 6.5 instead of six. Grubauer is untrustworthy, but he has historically dominated Los Angeles.
Over his 12 career appearances against the Kings, Grubauer is 7-4 with a .934 SV% and a 1.72 GAA.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-125) | Play to (-135) |
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