The Los Angeles Kings, led by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, are ready to take the ice against Artemi Panarin, Cam Atkinson, and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in an East-West showdown. Fox Sports West will broadcast the game, and the opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 13.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Losing 3.8 units for moneyline gamblers, Columbus is 16-14 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, isn’t too far off from to the 45-37 record the team produced during the 2017-18 season campaign. Through 30 regular season matches, 15 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 7-8 SU at home this year.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 15.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.7 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 26.0 saves per game with a .898 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (11 wins, 10 losses) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus this year. If Columbus chooses to rest him, however, the team may turn to Joonas Korpisalo (5-7-7 record, .885 save percentage, 3.54 goals against average).
Los Angeles has lost 12.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 11-21 straight up (SU). Through 32 regular season matches, 17 of its games have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team, the Kings are 4-10 SU so far.
The Kings have converted on just 14.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully defended 74.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Jack Campbell (2.33 goals against average and .923 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Los Angeles. Campbell is averaging 25.0 saves per game and has five wins and eight losses to his credit.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner \u2013 Blue Jackets, O/U \u2013 Over
Betting Trends
- Power plays and penalty kills may play a key role tonight. The Kings are 5-8 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 8-15 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Blue Jackets are 9-7 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 12-10 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Columbus might hold an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 6-4 in games decided by one goal, while Los Angeles is 3-6 in such games.
- The under has hit in three of Columbus’ last five games.
- Los Angeles is ranked 25th this season with 11.9 giveaways per game. That figure’s trended upward, as the team’s averaged 12.9 giveaways over its last 10 games and 13.4 giveaways over its last five.
- Columbus skaters have averaged 6.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 7.6 giveaways per game (ranked 5th overall).
- Los Angeles skaters have accounted for the league’s 10th-most hits per game (22.5).
