NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Predators vs. Kings

Predators vs. Kings Odds

Two teams heading in opposite directions take to the ice for a Western Conference showdown on Saturday. The Los Angeles Kings are tied with the Vegas Golden Knights for the Pacific Division lead, but are just four points up on the Edmonton Oilers, who occupy a wild-card spot. The Kings have won five in a row and six of their past seven, solidifying themselves as a legitimate contender.

Conversely, the Nashville Predators have all but given up on the season. Nashville has lost three of its past five and is six points back of the final playoff spot. Based on the betting line, the Predators have a puncher's chance in this one. However, our analysis suggests otherwise.

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Nashville Predators

The Predators have seemingly given up on the season, trading away several notable players for future building blocks. Mattias Ekholm, Nino Niederreiter and Tanner Jeannot rated analytically as top contributors, but were all shipped out at the trade deadline. The moves all but signaled the Predators' intentions to run the clock out on the regular season and focus on running it back with new pieces next year.

Nashville has been trending downward recently. The Preds have been outplayed in four of their past five, getting the bare minimum offensive production and abandoning defensive responsibility. Across the past five games, the Predators have given up 31 or more scoring chances and 13 or more high-danger chances three times. Predictably, they haven't had the offense firepower to offset those deficiencies.

Those issues have been compounded by unfortunate scheduling. The Predators embarked on a six-game, cross-country road trip, starting against the Florida Panthers just over a week ago. Now, they are in the midst of playing on the first night of a back-to-back after playing in four different time zones. Nashville's metrics are tumbling and show no signs of slowing down against the Kings.

Los Angeles Kings

Some superb underlying metrics validate LA's ascent. Moreover, the Kings show no signs of slowing down as their next seven games come on home ice and only two of those games come against opponents that currently occupy a playoff spot.

The Kings have dominated their opponents over the past couple of weeks. The Pacific Division co-leaders have posted expected goals-for ratings above 58.0% in four of their past six games. More impressively, the Kings have turned up the heat lately, churning out game scores above 62.0% in three of their past four.

Offense has been the foundation of the Kings' success, as they've amplified their production lately. LA has exceeded 15 quality chances in three of four, out-chancing opponents by a combined 56-30 margin. Increased production has yielded more goals. LA has scored 16 goals over its previous four games, 12 of which have come at five-on-five.

Predators vs. Kings Pick

The Predators don't have the defensive structure to limit the Kings' attack. Los Angeles' flourishing offense has come at a time when the Predators are hemorrhaging chances against. Goaltending will be a crucial factor to consider in this one, but the Kings have a pronounced advantage irrespective of who the Preds start.

This line should continue to shift toward the home team, meaning now is the time to back the Kings.

Pick: Kings Moneyline

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