Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues odds, picks and predictions
The Los Angeles Kings (22-15-9) take on the St. Louis Blues (25-20-2) in a Sunday matinee at Enterprise Center. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Kingsvs. Bluesodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Kings are just 1-4-1 in their last 6 after a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Friday. G Cam Talbot was chased after allowing 3 goals on 12 shots in the 1st period. He is 0-6-2 with a 4.28 GAA this month. The good news, though, is the Kings have beaten the Blues 5 straight times -- including a 5-1 demolition out West on Nov. 18.
This isn't the same Blues team, though. They've won 4 straight for the 1st time this season, and the last 2 games in overtime heroics. You could actually say the last 3 were because RW Brandon Saad delivered the game-winner with 48 seconds to go in regulation against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. The Blues are 12-6-1 under interim head coach Drew Bannister.
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Kings at Blues odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:08 a.m. ET.
Kings at Blues projected goalies
David Rittich (4-1-2, 1.86 GAA, .927 SV%) vs. Joel Hofer (8-8-0, 2.89 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO)
Rittich came on in relief of Talbot and stopped 17 of 19 shots Friday. He's 2-1-2 with a 2.15 GAA and .921 SV% in 5 starts and 7 games this month. I could see him taking the rest of the games before the All-Star break, and they'll have a decision to make upon play resuming next month.
The Blue Notes could go back to Jordan Binnington here, but I look for them to go with Hofer. Binner was a stud Friday night, and they have 1 more game Tuesday before being off until Feb. 10, for the break. I look for them to give Binnington that game to avoid such a lengthy layoff.
The 23-year-old Hofer has allowed 3 goals in 4 straight starts, but he was awesome in the overtime win at Vancouver Wednesday. He stopped 29 of 32 and made some timely saves, going into the "Statue of Liberty" to make one save late in the game.
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Kings at Blues picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 3, Blues 2
The Blues are flying high after their longest winning streak of the year. And at some point all these overtime games will take their toll. The Blues have a problem starting games with intensity and maintaining it throughout the game. The Kings have their number and are searching for answers after some leaky goaltending.
The Kings get it done. Take the KINGS -145.
The Blues are too expensive to take for insurance. I do like ROBERT THOMAS OVER 1.5 SHOTS (-145). He had 3 shots against LA in the first meeting, and in many ways, the offense runs through him or becomes stagnant.
This total would have pushed in 3 of the last 4 meetings, and if it inflates to 6.5, then I would consider taking the Under.
It's too volatile to take at a flat 6.
