Devils vs Kings Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

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03 March 2024

Devils vs Kings Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils have been unable to find a scoring groove over the last several games, and the Kings won't make things any easier. Our NHL picks expect Los Angeles to dominate New Jersey in this Sunday matinee.

The New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings will continue their hunt for playoff spots this afternoon when they face off at Crypto.com Arena. NHL odds have L.A. as a slim home favorite for this matinee affair.

Cam Talbot has been on fire in the Kings cage, posting a .938 SV% through five appearances in February while holding opponents to just one goal in three of his last four starts. While David Rittich hasn't been quite that good, he's been more than serviceable as the No. 2 option since being called up.

Will New Jersey be able to find success offensively today? Find out in my Devils vs Kings free NHL picks for Sunday, March 3.

Devils vs Kings odds

Devils vs Kings predictions

It's unknown who will man the net for the Los Angeles Kings as of writing, but either netminder is likely to give the New Jersey Devils fits.

Cam Talbot is 3-1-0 over his last four starts with an incredible .951 SV% and 1.51 GAA through that span. He's been one of the NHL’s best goaltenders since February 18, ranking third in SV% and second in GAA among all netminders with at least three appearances.

While David Rittich hasn’t been quite as good as Talbot, he’s been solid for the Kings, posting a 5-3-0 record with a .908 SV% and 2.59 GAA through his last eight games. Rittich has allowed two goals or fewer in three of his last five starts and five of his last eight while holding the Devils to just one marker in their last meeting on February 15.

At the other end of the rink, New Jersey has sputtered to a 3-5-0 record through its last eight games. Outside of a 7-2 win against the lowly Sharks on Tuesday, the Devils have averaged 3.00 gpg in their previous seven outings, including a 2-1 loss to the Kings back on February 15.

Despite putting up five points across his last two games against the Ducks and Sharks — two of the three worst teams in the league — Jack Hughes has seen his scoring rate slow down of late. The star center has amassed just seven points over his prior 11 games, a big reason why New Jersey has fallen well out of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

With both Kings goaltenders playing solid and the Devils in a rut, I like L.A. to hold New Jersey to Under 2.5 goals this afternoon.

My best bet: Devils team total Under 2.5 (+120 at DraftKings)

Devils vs Kings same-game parlay

Devils team total Under 2.5

Kings first period moneyline

Kings moneyline

The Kings have been one of the NHL’s best first-period teams this season, boasting a goal differential of +16 in the opening frame — the fourth-best mark among all clubs. The Devils rank 21st in that department at minus three and have scored first in just 16 of 60 games, by far the fewest instances of any team this season.

Los Angeles has usually been able to hold onto its first-period leads, going 21-5-7 in games where it scores first. Bolstered by their edge between the pipes, I like the Kings to start strong en route to the win.

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Devils vs Kings moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Kings come into today’s matchup as the home favorites at -130 on the moneyline, with the total opening at 6.5 goals. I’m looking for L.A. to pick up the win while keeping this one Under 6.5.

There wasn’t a ton of movement on the moneyline by Saturday night with Los Angeles remaining a moderate favorite on home ice. The Kings’ defense, meanwhile, has been solid during their 6-3-0 run, holding opponents to 2.44 gpg thanks in large part to Talbot’s strong play.

Los Angeles’ defense should also help keep this game Under 6.5 goals as the Kings have given up more than two goals three times in their last seven contests.

The Under 5-1-1 in the Kings’ last seven contests while each of those games featured six total goals or fewer.