Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings Prediction, Preview, and Odds

statsalt.com

01 January 0001

The Kings have hit the skids as of late and look to stop the bleeding by playing host to a Canucks team that is out of the playoffs.

The Canucks have won two in a row after a four-game losing streak where in it they were crushed by the Kings at home. They are out of the playoffs and while they recently lost to the Kings at home, they are 4-1 in their last five road games against them.

The Kings have dropped three in a row and have lost five of their last seven games. With two games remaining in the regular season, they are in third place in the Pacific Division five points back of the Edmonton Oilers and two points clear of the second Wild Card in the west. L.A. heads into this game as a pretty big home favorite posted at -195 with a total of 5.5 goals.

Good D for a Change

On the season the Canucks only rank 25th in GAA (3.62) but they have won their last two games only giving up two goals. Those two goals came in their last game where the club was at home in a 3-2 shootout win over the Calgary Flames. They scored the first two goals of the game before allowing Calgary to tie the score with two goals in the third period. Cole McWard scored his first goal of the season and Elias Pettersson netted his 38th on a shorthanded goal. Thatcher Demko (13-14-4 3.20 GAA) was solid in between the pipes allowing two goals on 43 shots and pitched a shutout in his previous start. Collin Delia (9-5-2 3.31 GAA) may get the call to face the Kings and gave up four goals in losing his last start while giving up a total of three in winning his previous two starts.

On the season, Vancouver is averaging 3.32 goals per game while giving up an average of 3.62 goals per game. Pettersson leads the team with 38 goals and 99 points and has three goals and an assist over the last five games. J.T. Miller (30 goals 78 points) had an assist in the last game but only has one goal over the last eight games. The Canucks had beaten the Kings in the first two meetings of the season before losing in the last one on April 3rd. On the season the team is 17-16-5 on the road and they have won four of their last five road games with the only loss in that span against the Kings.

Three Good Teams, Three Losses

The Kings have faced three playoff-bound teams in losing three in a row where they were outscored 12-6. Their last game was the closest in that span in a 4-3 home loss to the Colorado Avalanche where Adrian Kempescored twice, Viktor Arvidsson scored on a power play, and Anze Kopitar had three assists.

Pheonix Copley (24-6-3 2.64 GAA) gave up four goals on 23 shots and he had only given up a total of three goals in his previous two starts. Joonas Korpisalo (16-14-4 2.95 GAA) may get the nod against the Canucks and had been playing well until his last start where he was yanked early in the second period in his last start after giving up five goals on only 15 shots.

On the season, L.A. is averaging 3.33 goals per game and giving up an average of 3.14 goals per game. Kempe is the team leader with 38 goals and he had not lit the lamp in six games before two goals in the last game. Kopitar is tied for the team with 72 points (27 goals 45 assists) and has a goal and five assists over the last four games. All Star Kevin Fiala also has 72 points (23 goals 49 assists) but has missed the last few games and is listed as questionable to face the Canucks. On the season L.A. is 25-11-4 at home and they have lost their last two games on home ice.

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Best Bets

Full-Game Side Bet

Rating:

The Kings have lost three in a row but they have faced three teams headed for the playoffs. On the flip side, the Canucks have won two in a row facing one team out of the playoffs and one that is currently on the outside of the playoff picture. L.A. recently beat Vancouver 4-1 and while they have all the pressure on them in this game, I look for them to step up. They lost 4-3 to a good Avalanche team in their last game and their attack and defense will get it done on home ice. The Kings are desperate for a win to stay out of the Wild Card in the west and they will get it in this game against a Vancouver team they beat badly in the beginning of this month.

The Kings will win this game by at least two goals, so take the puck line (-1.5 goals +125 ) to get better odds.

Prediction: Kings puck line -1.5 goals +125

Full-Game Total Pick

Rating:

All three games between these teams this season have gone Under and in the last 52 games between these division rivals the Under record is 29-14-9. Look for that trend to continue, as the score will be similar to when these teams met a little over a week ago with the Kings winning 4-1. Their defense has given up 12 goals in their last game but they will be better in this game facing a Vancouver attack that has only totaled eight goals in their last four games. The L.A. attack will also play well but they will not score a ton of goals. So, with the score similar to the recent meeting of 4-1 it means this late season affair will go Under.

Take the Under 6.5 goals.

Prediction: Under 6.5 goals

Jason digs every sport, but the NFL is his favorite. His team is the Washington Football Team and his 2nd favorite is whoever is playing the Cowboys! Jason is a strong handicapper, who graced us with his talents here at Stat Salt. He doesn't don't just write about sports, but he also is an avid sports bettor. Jason has done very well at that and it would be a good idea to follow his picks.