The Los Angeles Kings, fueled by Anze Kopitar and Ilya Kovalchuk, are set to take the ice against Patrick Kane, Brandon Saad, and the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center for a Western Conference matchup. The first puck will drop at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 27, and fans at home can view it live on Fox Sports West.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Los Angeles (+120) is playing the role of underdog to Chicago (-140) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Los Angeles is 4-7 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 11 regular season matches, six of its games have gone over the total, while four have gone under and none have pushed. As a road team this season, the Kings are 2-4 SU.
The Kings have found the net on 9.5 percent of their power play chances so far. That’s a noticeable drop-off from last season, when they were ranked 28th in the league by converting on 15.8 percent of their extra-man opportunities. Their penalty kill has fallen off noticeably since last year, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 76.2 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 29th overall last year) to 72.5 percent this year..
With a .849 save percentage and 24.9 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (2-5) has been the top option in goal for Los Angeles this year. Quick played last night, however, so the team might opt to rest him and go with Jack Campbell instead (2-2 record, .897 save percentage, 2.77 goals against average).
Over on the other bench, Chicago is 2-7 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Five of its games have gone under the total, while three have gone over and none have pushed. Thus far, the team’s 2-5 SU as the home team.
The Blackhawks have killed off a remarkable 70.4 percent of all penalties, compared to 73.0 percent in 2018-19 (when they were ranked 31st overall). They have converted on 10.3 percent of their power plays this year after scoring on 20.0 percent (ranked 14th in league) last season.
Corey Crawford has denied 28.4 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has one win and four losses to his credit and has registered a mediocre 3.67 goals against average and a poor .888 save percentage this season.
Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- After winning three of their four shootouts last season, the Blackhawks are off to a 0-1 start in shootouts this year. The Kings were 3-4 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone under in four of their past five matchups.
- Los Angeles skaters registered 23.3 hits per game last season, while the Hawks logged 16.5 hits per matchup.
