Los Angeles Kings at New York Rangers odds, picks and predictions

The Los Angeles Kings (16-4-4) take on the New York Rangers (18-6-1) Sunday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Kings vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Kings fell 3-2 in overtime to the New York Islanders Saturday, snapping a 3-game winning streak. The Kings sit firmly at 3rd in the Pacific Division, 11 points ahead of Calgary and 1 point behind the Vancouver Canucks for 2nd. RW Kevin Fiala (6 goals, 19 assists), C Adrian Kempe (9 goals, 16 assists) and C Anze Kopitar (10 goals, 14 assists) lead the charge for LA.

The Rangers have dropped 2 straight after a 4-0 defeat to the Washington Capitals Saturday. They are still atop the Metropolitan Division and 2nd in the conference.  This is the 1st meeting between the clubs this season, but the Rangers have won the last 3 matchups. LW Artemi Panarin is 4th in the league with 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists).

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Kings at Rangers odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:56 p.m. ET.

Kings at Rangers projected goalies

Pheonix Copley (4-0-2, 3.03 GAA, .873 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Jonathan Quick (7-0-1, 2.34 GAA, .918 SV%, 2 SO)

Copley has won 3 straight starts with the most-recent outing Tuesday in a 4-3 OT win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He stopped 26 of 29 shots. He shut out the Montreal Canadiens in the game before that Nov. 25. He faced the Rangers in a relief effort last season and stopped 12 of 14 shots in a 5-2 loss.

Quick has fallen on cracked ice after starting the season fast. He has allowed 9 goals in his last 2 starts but managed to win both of them. He stopped 23 of 28 shots in his win over San Jose last Sunday. This will be his 1st meeting against his former team.

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Kings at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Rangers 4, Kings 3

Both teams are on back-to-backs, but I’m leaning toward the home side as they’ll step up for their goalie against his former mates. The Rangers have won 4 of the last 5 meetings, and they’re at a ripe price considering both teams played yesterday, and the Kings are on the opposite coast.

Take the RANGERS -115.

The Kings are too expensive to take, and I don’t trust the Rangers to win by 2.

PASS.

I’m a little surprised this isn’t 6.5 with both teams playing on consecutive days and using backup goalies. This number cashed in both meetings last season. The Rangers are 3-1 O/U in their last 4.

This total at least pushes with a good chance to cash the OVER 6 (-120).