NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Kings vs. Predators (October 18) — Take the Plus Money in a Coinflip

Kings vs. Predators Odds

For Tuesday's nightcap, we have a Western Conference tilt as the Central Division's Nashville Predators host the Pacific Division's Los Angeles Kings. Nashville won two of the three meetings between these two clubs last season.

Will the Predators take care of business once again, or can the Kings pull off the upset as a road underdog?

Back-to-Back Likely Won't Slow Kings Following Bounce Back

After starting off the season 0-2, the Los Angeles Kings have rattled off two straight wins and now enter this contest on the second half of a back-to-back. One of the best teams to bet on last season, the Kings went 50-32 ATS as books constantly undervalued just how good this team was.

At 5v5, Los Angeles ranked eighth in the league in expected goals for (xGF) and 11th in expected goals against (xGA) last year. They only got better over the off-season with the addition of Kevin Fiala, who has gelled well on the first line alongside Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar.

Since this game is the second half of a back-to-back, we can expect Cal Petersen to take the crease for the Kings. Petersen had a tough first outing against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, as he allowed six goals on 35 shots for a .829 SV%, although Los Angeles did end up winning that contest.

There are a couple of reasons to be optimistic for some positive regression for Petersen in his second start. First of all, Minnesota possesses a better offense than Nashville and is a very difficult team to stop.

Through two career starts against the Predators, Petersen boasts a .918 SV%. Secondly, Petersen's metrics last season were outstanding as he would have ranked seventh among starting goaltenders in 5v5 goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60).

Early Concerns Loom For Predators Against Los Angeles

The Nashville Predators enter this game in much different form, as they have dropped two straight to the Dallas Stars. Before those two games, they opened up the season in Prague with two wins against the San Jose Sharks, who have looked like the worst team in hockey through the first week of the season.

Coming back to America was a rude awakening for this Nashville team, as they got dominated by Dallas in both games, losing by a combined score of 9-2. I think Nashville will figure it out as the season progresses, but right now, they look lost as a group.

Scoring was the main concern in both of those games against Dallas, despite going against one of the better young goaltenders in the league. While they have a talented top-six, the depth in the scoring department was also a problem for this club last season as they ranked just 25th in the league in xGF at 5v5.

Kings vs. Predators Pick

The Predators are this large of a favorite for a couple of reasons. First of all, they are at home, and Bridgestone Arena is a tough barn to play in.

Secondly, they will have the goaltending advantage, assuming the matchup is Saros against Petersen. With that being said, these two teams have looked completely different over the last week.

Los Angeles is finding a rhythm and the team is buzzing from top-to-bottom as everyone has been contributing. Meanwhile, the Predators are coming off two straight games where it was evident they were not going to win by halfway through the second period.

I have this game as a coin flip, so I like taking the value with Los Angeles at plus money.