Pittsburgh Penguins at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and predictions
The Pittsburgh Penguins (5-6-0) face the Los Angeles Kings (8-2-2) on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Penguins vs. Kingsodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Penguins are 2-for-2 on the first 2 legs of the California road trip. They battered the San Jose Sharks 10-2 on Saturday, then topped the Anaheim Ducks 2-0 on Tuesday. It's the 1st time since Oct. 13-14 that the Pens have won 2 in a row. They aim for a season-high 3rd straight win.
The Kings played Wednesday night in Vegas, skating away with a 4-1 victory behind G Cam Talbot. Los Angeles is on a 4-game heater, winning each of the outings by a combined 16-4, with the Under cashing in each outing.
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Penguins at Kings odds
FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:11 a.m. ET.
Penguins at Kings projected goalies
Magnus Hellberg (0-0-0, 2.14 GAA, .929 SV%) vs. Pheonix Copley (1-0-1, 4.98 GAA, .788 SV%)
Hellberg is projected to start since G Tristan Jarry was hit in the face with a puck Tuesday in Anaheim. Coach Mike Sullivan told reporters Wednesday that the tendy is considered day-to-day.
Copley hasn't appeared in a game since Oct. 27, but the North Pole, AK native is projected to start due to the back-to-back situation. He last started Oct. 24, allowing 3 goals on 27 shots in a win at home against the Arizona Coyotes.
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Penguins at Kings picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 4, Penguins 3
The KINGS (-132) may catch a break facing Hellberg, who hasn't had a lot of time at the NHL level this season. He came on for Jarry late in the 2nd period to preserve the 2-0 shutout in Anaheim, stopping all 11 shots he faced. However, Hellberg hasn't started an NHL game since March 31 with the Detroit Red Wings.
The Penguins +1.5 (-225) are a little expensive if you would prefer insurance, and you just cannot fathom the idea of playing Pittsburgh straight up.
It's a good idea to stay away, as the Kings -1.5 (+184) are 4-1 in the past 5 games when playing on no rest. The Pens, meanwhile, have dropped the past 4 skates in Los Angeles, while the home team has won 8 of the past 9 meetings.
AVOID.
UNDER 6.5 (+114) is a tempting play at plus-money, although a potential matchup of Hellberg vs. Copley seems to scream Over.
Still, the Under is 11-5-1 in the past 17 games overall for the Pens, while going 5-1-1 in the past 7 when playing on a day of rest.
The Kings have cashed the Over in 7 straight at home, but the Under is a perfect 4-0 in the past 4 outings.
