A couple of teams that have put themselves squarely in playoff contention, the Los Angeles Kings and the Nashville Predators meet at Bridgestone Arena in a Western Conference showdown. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the matchup, which gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 1.
Los Angeles Kings at Nashville Predators Odds
Nashville is 29-19 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 6.2 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the league in this young season, is an improvement over the 41-41 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 48 regular season matches, 25 have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and none have pushed. This season, the team is 16-8 SU at home.
The Predators have connected on 23.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for fourth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated eighth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
The Predators, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.8 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five outings at home. The team has been forced to stave off opposition power plays for just 5.9 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .927 save percentage and 29.2 saves per game, Pekka Rinne (24-11-3) has been the best option in goal for the Preds this year. If Nashville chooses to rest him, however, the team may turn to Juuse Saros (5-9-9 record, .927 save percentage, 2.33 goals against average).
The Preds will continue to lean on the offensive production via P.K. Subban and Filip Forsberg. Subban (37 points) is up to 12 goals and 25 assists and has recorded multiple points nine times this year. Forsberg has 15 goals and 19 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 25 games.
On the other side of the rink, Los Angeles is 27-23 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.1 units this season. Through 50 regular season contests, 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Kings are 15-11 SU as the road team this season.
The Kings have converted on 19.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully killed off 86.2 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles’ skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over their past five match ups. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays 9.2 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Jonathan Quick (27.4 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Los Angeles. Quick owns a 20-19-2 record, while registering a .921 save percentage and 2.44 goals against average this year.
Anze Kopitar (19 goals, 34 assists) has been one of the top offensive facilitators for the visiting Kings.
Los Angeles Kings at Nashville Predators Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Nashville (4-4 in shootouts this season) has significantly more experience in games decided by shootout. Los Angeles, however, emerged victorious in both of its shootouts this year.
- The under has hit in three of Nashville’s last five games.
- Los Angeles has attempted 30.8 shots per game overall this season (ranked 22nd in the NHL), and 31.2 in its last five road games.
- Six of Los Angeles’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- Los Angeles skaters have accounted for the league’s fourth-most hits per game (25.1), but the team’s recorded just 17.6 hits over their last five away games.
