Two teams squaring off for the second time this year, the Los Angeles Kings and the Minnesota Wild meet at the Xcel Energy Center for a Western Conference matchup. The action gets started at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, March 19 and it’s being shown live on NBC Sports Network.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Minnesota Wild Odds
Los Angeles (+120) is playing the role of underdog to Minnesota (-140) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 5 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -140 for the over and +120 for the under.
The Wild are 41-31 straight up (SU) and have earned 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Central Division in this young season, is fairly close to the 49-33 record the team produced during the 2016-17 season campaign. Among the teams 72 games this season, 37 have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just four have pushed. The team is 24-12 SU at home this season.
Minnesota’s converted on 20.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.7 percent of all penalties.
Minnesota, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its past five contests. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for just 6.9 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
With a .916 save percentage and 27.2 saves per game, Devan Dubnyk (32-20-5) has been the top goalkeeper for the Wild this season. If the Wild choose to give him the evening off, however, the team may go with Alex Stalock (10-16-16 record, .912 save percentage, 2.79 goals against average).
The Wild will continue to rely on offensive production via Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund. Staal (70 points) has tallied 38 goals and 32 assists and has recorded two or more points in 17 different games this year. Granlund has 19 goals and 39 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 37 games.
On the other side of the ice, Los Angeles is 39-33 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.3 units this season. A total of 37 of its games have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just three have pushed. Los Angeles 20-16 SU as the road team this season.
Los Angeles has converted on 19.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked second overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.1 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles skaters have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five road outings. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (27.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Los Angeles. Quick has 28 wins, 28 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .922 save percentage and 2.42 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Kings, the offense will run through Anze Kopitar, who has 51 assists and 29 goals on the year.
Los Angeles Kings at Minnesota Wild Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Minnesota is 3-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-1 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of Los Angeles last five outings.
- Los Angeles has attempted 31.3 shots per game overall this season (ranked 21st in the NHL), and 33.9 in its last 10 outings.
- Eight of Los Angeles last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-3 in those games.
- Los Angeles skaters have given out the leagues third-most hits per game (25.6).
