Chicago Blackhawks at Los Angeles Kings Game Preview 11/2/19

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In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings meet at the Staples Center. Fox Sports West will broadcast this Western Conference matchup, and the action gets going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 2.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds

Los Angeles (-120) is being picked as the favorite over Chicago (+100), and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-125 for the over, +105 for the under).

The Kings are 4-9 straight up (SU) and have punished moneyline bettors to the tune of -3.1 units so far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 31-51 record that the team posted during the 2018-19 season campaign. Among the team’s 13 games this season, eight have gone over the total, while four have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 2-4 SU at home this year.

Los Angeles has converted on just 9.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places the team in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 68.8 percent of all penalties.

As a team, Los Angeles has been penalized 4.2 times per game this season, a number that’s regressed some from the 3.4 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 8.1 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has had to kill penalties for 9.2 minutes per matchup this year.

Averaging 27.3 saves per game with a .858 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (two wins, six losses) has been the top goalkeeper for the Kings this season. If the Kings choose to rest him, however, head coach Todd Mclellan could turn to Jack Campbell (2-3-3 record, .880 save percentage, 3.22 goals against average).

Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty will each lead the charge for the Kings. Kopitar (13 points) is up to four goals and nine assists and has recorded two or more points two times this year. Doughty has three goals and six assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in five games.

Chicago has lost 5.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 3-8 straight up (SU). A total of seven of its outings have gone under the total, while three have gone over and just one has pushed. Chicago’s 0-3 SU as a road team this season.

Chicago has converted on just 8.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully defended 77.1 percent of all opponent power plays.

Chicago’s players have been penalized 3.4 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.1, which was the third-lowest mark in the league. After serving an average of 7.3 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 6.9 minutes per matchup this year.

Robin Lehner (34.2 saves per game) has been the main choice in the net for Chicago. Lehner owns a 2-4-2 record, and has registered a .936 save percentage and 2.29 goals against average this year.

Patrick Kane (three goals, six assists) has been one of the most vital offensive playmakers for the visiting Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions

NHL Pick: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over

Betting Notes

  • For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their last five outings.
  • Chicago has managed 27.7 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Los Angeles is averaging 35.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
  • Power plays and penalty kills could prove to be extremely important in this matchup. The Blackhawks are 0-3 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 3-6 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total. The Kings are 1-3 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 2-6 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
  • After winning three of its four shootouts last year, Chicago is off to a 0-1 start in shootouts this season. Los Angeles was 3-4 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.