Los Angeles Kings at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and predictions
The Los Angeles Kings (29-19-10) and Vancouver Canucks (38-16-7) square off in Pacific Division action Thursday. The opening faceoff at Rogers Arena is slated for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Kings vs. Canucksodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Los Angeles is closing out a 3-game road trip. The Kings are 0-2-0 on that trip after back-to-back 4-2 losses to the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
The Canucks also played Tuesday; they dropped a 4-3 overtime contest to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Vancouver, which has not yet played the Kings this season, is 1-4-1 over its last 6 games.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team's out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Kings at Canucks odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:46 a.m. ET.
Kings at Canucks projected goalies
Cam Talbot (16-14-5, 2.55 GAA, .913 SV%) vs. Thatcher Demko (31-12-2, 2.50 GAA, .917 SV%)
Talbot stopped 33 of 36 shots in Tuesday's game. The veteran has been streaky, but his save percentage over his last 3 starts is a fine .949.
Demko started Tuesday and allowed 4 goals in the OT loss to the Pens. He owns a .904 SV% since the All-Star break.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Kings at Canucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 3, Canucks 2
Los Angeles allowed 37 shots at Calgary Tuesday. But a mostly-responsible-in-its-own-end Kings squad had yielded 27.6 shots on average while going 6-3-0 across its previous 9 games.
Vancouver's normally solid power play has gone cold of late (3 of just 34), and the L.A. penalty kill is 12 of 14.
The Canucks have lost 2 in a row to the Kings. Peg there being a bit of value in LOS ANGELES (+120).
Los Angeles is a lean, but only a tag in the -190's would be worth the switch with the above straight-up play. PASS.
The Under has cashed in 8 straight series meetings. Kings' road games this season have seen the Under go 19-11-1.
Both sides have been limiting 5-on-5 high-danger looks of late. Talbot is on a solid streak and owns a career .928 SV% against the Canucks.
FanDuel Sportsbook offers more room to operate here: TAKE UNDER 6.5 (-128).
