The Vegas Golden Knights (27-16-14) and Los Angeles Kings (23-19-14) will face off in an important Pacific Division showdown on Wednesday. Puck drop is set for 10:00 p.m. EST at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Kings are priced at +180 to cover the puck line (-1.5), with the over/under set at 5.5 (-106o / -113u). The Kings are a -150 favorite to win outright, while the Golden Knights are +125 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Golden Knights vs. Kings predictions and NHL picks.
Golden Knights vs. Kings Odds, Pick
| Golden Knights Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -220 | 5.5 -105o / -115u | +125 |
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +180 | 5.5 -105o / -115u | -150 |
- Golden Knights vs. Kings Spread: Golden Knights +1.5 (-220), Kings -1.5 (+180)
- Golden Knights vs. Kings Over/Under: 5.5 (-106o / -113u)
- Golden Knights vs. Kings Moneyline: Golden Knights +125, Kings -150
Golden Knights vs. Kings Preview
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights could be one of the more likely teams to suffer a slight hangover from the Olympics, particularly due to the fact that they had five skaters playing in the gold medal game on Sunday: Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, Mark Stone, Mitch Marner and Shea Theodore.
It has been confirmed that Eichel and Hanifin will miss this matchup after attending Team USA's visit to the White House on Tuesday.
The loss of a number-one center is significant for any team, but it's particularly true for the Knights, given how excellent Eichel has become in all facets of the game. Vegas is just 1-4-2 without Eichel so far this season. Hanifin has averaged 23:26 of time on ice this season, and his absence undoubtedly also moves the needle.
At the time of writing, it's unconfirmed whether the team's three Canadian skaters from the gold medal game will be in the lineup, but the current betting price certainly suggests oddsmakers still expect them to play.
Vegas entered the break in the midst of a 3-5-2 stretch, and while it is atop the ultra-soft Pacific Division, its 27-16-14 record in the pre-Olympic portion of the season is certainly a letdown relative to the strength of the roster.
The Knights are just 6-14 in the shootout/3-on-3 novelty settlements this season. It's a point I've made a lot, but if the team were more competent in the shootout, where they are 1-6, or in three-on-three overtime, they would be looking a little more like the powerhouse we all expected on paper. With those things said, it's obviously a knock on the team that they have struggled to win games in regulation.
Record aside, the Knights' roster still should prove to be highly formidable when they are at full strength, and the only meaningful concern appears to be in goal, as the combination of Adin Hill, Akira Schmid and Carter Hart has not been effective. Adin Hill is expected to get the start in this matchup and has played to a save percentage of .870 and a -10.6 GSAx rating across ten appearances this season.
Los Angeles Kings
Respectfully, most observers would agree that the Kings have been one of the dullest teams to watch this season, and even the team's fan base has turned sharply against head coach Jim Hiller and his tactics. They have scored only 2.54 goals per game this season and have played plenty of tight-checking, low-scoring matchups against some of the league's weakest sides.
Kings GM Ken Holland took advantage of a favorable situation in bringing in the top available forward in Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers, receiving a heavy discount due to Panarin's no-trade clause. Panarin is a game-changer with elite offensive upside, and in particular, is tremendous on the power play, where the Kings have struggled mightily for the last several seasons.
While the Kings were lucky to be able to acquire Panarin for just Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick, they caught a very tough break in star forward Kevin Fiala suffering a season-ending injury at the Olympics. With 40 points in 56 games, Fiala is arguably the team's most dynamic offensive forward.
Panarin is a logical fit to play alongside the Kings' top goal-scoring threat Adrian Kempe, and it does seem that Hiller will go with that combination Wednesday night. However, the two skated alongside Alex Laferriere at practice, not Anze Kopitar, with the plan likely being to use the Panarin/Kempe line in more offensive situations and let Kopitar's unit check opposing top units.
Perhaps the Kings' most clear-cut edge in this matchup comes in goal, as Darcy Kuemper has played to a +2.1 GSAx rating and .900 save percentage across 36 appearances this season.
Golden Knights vs. Kings Prediction
In another year, the Kings' ugly pre-Olympic portion of the schedule would likely have knocked them clearly out of playoff contention. But there is a distinct lack of depth out in the Pacific Division and Western Conference, and for that reason, they are right in the thick of the race.
This game presents an important opportunity for the Kings to claim two much-needed points and start the Panarin era off with a big win. I'm not going to undersell the Kings' issues; their offensive play has been horrible, and it will be a tall order for any one skater, even of Panarin's quality, to entirely turn that around, especially now that Fiala is sidelined.
But this game sets up as a potential scheduled win for the Kings. Eichel and Hanifin are huge losses for the Knights, and even if Stone, Marner, and Theodore are to play, they could be fatigued following a tough traveling schedule after playing in the gold medal game Sunday.
It's quite rare that I'd ever want to lay -150 with this Kings' side in a matchup versus Vegas, but in this unique spot, it does seem quite reasonable.
Pick: Los Angeles Kings Moneyline -150
