Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings 3/18/2023-Free Pick, NHL Betting
Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Canucks vs. Kings NHL Odds
Looking for Vancouver Canucks Vs. Los Angeles Kings free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Canucks taking on the Kings on Saturday March 18th at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Canucks Kings matchup.
NHL Hockey Handicapping – Canucks vs. Los Angeles
(29-33-5) Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings (40-20-9)
Date: Saturday March 18th – Canucks vs. Kings
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Venue: crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Hockey NHL Money Line Odds: Canucks +167 Kings -192 (Bet Now!)
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Canucks +1.5 -150 Kings -1.5 +130
Today’s NHL Betting Total: O/U 6.5
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Second in the Pacific Division, the Los Angeles Kings are in the thick of things in terms of fighting for a top playoff spot. They’re just a single point back of the Vegas Golden Knights and have a slim five-point cushion on the third place Edmonton Oilers.
With 63 points on the season, the Vancouver Canucks are four teams back of the final Wild Card slot.
These two squads last met on November 18th where the Canucks took a home victory by a 4-1 score. They’ll now play each other three times in less than a month.
Vancouver Canucks
With their five-game win streak snapped Thursday night in Arizona, the Canucks are looking to improve on their lackluster 13-16-4 road record.
Overall, they’re 29-33-5 on the year but have struggled away from Vancouver with a 4-12 tally through their most recent 16 away games.
Offense
Up front, the Canucks have been potent as of late with 23 goals in their last six games. On the season, they’re averaging 3.34 goals scored per game which makes them the 11th best offense in the league.
When it comes to the power play, they may have gone 0-5 in their Thursday night loss to Arizona but are sporting an 11th best power play at 22.2% this season.
In terms of first NHL seasons, Andrei Kuzmenko has tied Hall of Famer Pavel Bure with 34 goals which leads all Canucks so far this year.
Defense
They’ve struggled quite a bit in their own end of the ice this season but have made due with many of the call-ups from the Abbotsford Canucks. That being said, they’re still stuck with the second- worst per game goals against average at 3.78 and have the worst penalty kill in the league, operating at 68.2%.
Against Arizona they allowed 2 power play goals on the Coyotes three opportunities on the man advantage in what would be a 3-2 loss.
Goaltending
In his last six starts this month Thatcher Demko has allowed more than 2 goals against just once. Since his return, Demko has gone 5-2-0 with a 2.30 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.
Los Angeles Kings
Through their most recent eight games, the Kings are 7-1-1 after scoring three or more goals in each victory.
They’ve amassed a 40-20-9 record overall this season and have a stellar 22-9-3 tally in Los Angeles where they’ve gone 8-1 in their last 9 home contests.
Offense
In previous years, the Kings were mostly know for their defensive game but this season they’ve proved to be capable of doing damage in the other end of the ice.
With a 10th ranked offense, Los Angeles is averaging 3.35 goals scored per game and have a 6th ranked power play which is operating at 24.2% this season.
They have four players with at least 20 goals on the season, which includes Adrian Kempe and his club leading 32 tucks this season.
Newcomer Kevin Fiala has fit right in with the squad and leads the team with 68 points in 66 games. The issue is his health and if he’ll be available for this match-up. He’s missed the past three games with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day.
Defense
Things have kind of flip flopped for LA this year. Their offense has been more reliable than their play in their own end.
With a 16th ranked defense, the Kings are averaging 3.22 goals against per game and rank 22nd on the penalty kill which has a 76.2% kill rate.
Goaltending
Since acquiring Joonas Korpisalo in the Jonathan Quick trade, the Kings have split the crease duties between Korpisalo and Pheonix Copley.
With Copley getting the last start, there’s a good chance we’ll see Korpisalo get the nod for this game.
The former Blue Jacket is on a personal 4-game win streak and has a 14-11-3 record overall with a goals against average of 3.05 paired with his .914 save percentage. Through his first three games with the Kings, he is 3-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and a .929 save percentage.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings Injury Report
- Filip Hronek (VAN) – IR – Upper Body
- Ethan Bear (VAN) – IR – Upper Body
- Travis Dermott (VAN) – IR –
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson (VAN) – IR – Ankle
- Tanner Pearson (VAN) – IR – Hand
- Ilya Mikheyev (VAN) – IR – Knee
- Tucker Poolman (VAN) – IR – Head
- Sean Durzi (LAK) – QUES – Undisclosed
- Kevin Fiala (LAK) – QUES – Lower Body
Updated Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings NHL Odds
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Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Trends
- Under is 3-0-1 in Canucks last 4 vs. Pacific.
- Under is 5-2 in Canucks last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Under is 47-23-5 in Canucks last 75 Saturday games.
- Under is 4-0-1 in Kings last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Kings last 6 games following a win.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Kings last 6 home games.
- Under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Free Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings NHL Prediction
With both teams looking to up their game down the stretch, it’s hard to deny the positives in each team.
Vancouver comes in with a hot offense and a goaltender who has risen to his previous form.
Los Angeles has scored 32 times in their past 8 games and should Korpisalo get the nod, it’s a similar story as the Canucks as the Kings’ netminder has returned to his former glory.
With all that on the table, I’m taking the under for this contest. The goalies are hot and the under has hit in 5 straight.
4* Free Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings NHL Betting Pick: Under 6.5
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