Nashville Predators at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and predictions
The Nashville Predators (24-19-1) make the 2nd stop on a 3-game road trip Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings (21-12-8). Puck drop at Crypto.com Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+/hulu). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Predators vs. Kings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Predators were tripped up 4-1 on Monday afternoon to open the road trip against the Vegas Golden Knights as the Under 5.5 cashed. Nashville had a 3-game win streak snapped, while the Under has connected in the last 2 outings.
The Kings were dumped 5-1 on Tuesday in Dallas as the Under 6.5 cashed. Los Angeles has managed a dismal 1-5-4 mark across the past 10 outings, while the Under is 10-5 across the previous 15 contests.
Nashville won 2 of the 3 meetings last season, including the only visit to Los Angeles on March 11 in a 2-1 shootout win. The Preds have won 7 of the past 10 meetings, while the Over is 4-1 across the past 5 in the series.
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Predators at Kings odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last update at 6:38 a.m. ET.
Predators at Kings projected goalies
Juuse Saros (17-16-1, 3.02 GAA, .900 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Cam Talbot (14-11-5, 2.43 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO)
Saros allowed 3 goals on 28 shots in Monday’s 4-1 loss in Vegas, and he is just 2-3-0 with a 3.07 GAA and .894 SV% in 5 outings in January. He was 1-0-1 with a 2.88 GAA and .913 SV% in 2 regular-season starts against the Kings in 2022-23.
Talbot has hit the skids lately, allowing 3 or more goals in 5 consecutive outings. He has struggled mightily this month, going 0-4-2 with a 3.84 GAA and .882 SV% in 6 starts. He went 1-1-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .923 SV% in 2 starts against the Predators last season.
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Predators at Kings picks and predictions
Prediction
Predators 4, Kings 3
The PREDATORS (+125) are worth a look as slight underdogs on the road. Nashville won last season in a shootout on March 11 in Los Angeles, and the Preds have won 5 of the past 7 meetings against the Kings (-155).
Nashville has won 3 of the past 4 games on the road, while posting an impressive 7-1-1 mark in the past 9 outings away from home.
Los Angeles has picked up 6 out of a possible 22 points in the past 11 games, and it simply cannot be trusted, even at home.
The Predators +1.5 (-185) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s just too much risk with not enough reward.
If you like Nashville, just play the visitors straight up. AVOID.
The OVER 6 (-110) is worth a look, but don’t get too carried away.
The Predators and Kings have cashed the Over in the past 5 meetings, while Nashville has had the total go high in 4 of the past 6 games.
For Los Angeles, though, the Under is 3-2 in the past 5 games, while cashing in 10 of the past 15 outings overall. The Kings have scored 3 or fewer goals in 9 of the past 10 contests, so be careful, and play a half-unit at most.
