The Vegas Golden Knights and the Los Angeles Kings square off at T-Mobile Arena in Game 1 of the NHL postseason’s opening round. NBC Sports Network will showcase the action, which gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 11.
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights Odds
Vegas (-135) is currently favored over Los Angeles (+115), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -130 for the under and +110 for the over.
Earning moneyline bettors 15.5 units, Vegas is 51-31 straight up (SU) overall thus far. Through 82 regular season contests, 42 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 38 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 29-12 SU at home this year.
The Golden Knights have converted on 21.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Golden Knights have been whistled for penalties just 3.2 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five matchups home outings. The team has had to kill penalties for just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Boasting a .927 save percentage and 27.7 saves per game, Marc-Andre Fleury (29-17-4) has been the best option in goal for Vegas this year. If Vegas decides to give him the night off, however, the team may roll with Malcolm Subban (15-7-7 record, .910 save percentage, 2.68 goals against average).
The Knights will continue to lean on the leadership out of William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault. Karlsson (78 points) has produced 43 goals and 35 assists and has recorded two or more points in 19 different games this year. Marchessault has 27 goals and 48 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 46 contests.
Los Angeles is 45-37 straight up (SU) and has netted 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 82 regular season outings, 42 of its games have gone under the total, while 37 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Kings are 22-19 SU as the away team this season.
The Kings have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully killed off 85.0 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles’ skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 5.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (.921 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Los Angeles. Quick is averaging 26.9 saves per game and has 33 wins, 31 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Kings, the offense will be coordinated by Anze Kopitar, who has 57 assists and 35 goals this season.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in four of Vegas’ last five outings.
- Los Angeles has attempted 31.0 shots per game overall this season (ranked 23rd in the NHL), and 29.3 in its last 10 games.
- Over Los Angeles’ last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-1 in those games).
- Los Angeles skaters have dished out the league’s fourth-most hits per game (25.8).
