In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Los Angeles Kings and the Nashville Predators meet at Bridgestone Arena. NBC Sports Network will air this Western Conference matchup, and the action gets going at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 21.
Los Angeles Kings at Nashville Predators Odds
Los Angeles (+180) is playing the role of underdog to Nashville (-220), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-140 for the under, +120 for the over).
Even though their record stands at 35-27 straight up (SU), the Predators have produced 7.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. 31 of its 62 matches have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team’s 19-12 SU at home this year.
Nashville has converted on just 13.1 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 31st overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.1 percent of all penalties.
Nashville, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.7 times per game overall this season, 3.4 per game over its last five matchups total, and 3.4 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.8 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .916 save percentage and 25.4 saves per game, Pekka Rinne (22 wins, 20 losses, and four OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Predators this year. If they, however, choose to give him a rest, head coach Peter Laviolette may turn to Juuse Saros (14-11-11 record, .912 save percentage, 2.70 goals against average).
Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi will each spearhead the attack for the Predators. Johansen (53 points) has tallied 11 goals and 42 assists and has recorded two or more points 15 times this year. Josi has 13 goals and 36 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 34 contests.
On the other hand, Los Angeles is 23-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 59 regular season contests, 31 of its games have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just one has pushed. Los Angeles’ 11-19 SU as the visiting team this season.
Los Angeles has converted on just 15.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Los Angeles’ players have been penalized only 3.3 times per game this season, 2.8 per game over their last five games total, and 3.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (.899 save percentage and 3.09 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Los Angeles. Quick is averaging 26.9 saves per game and has 11 wins, 19 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Kings, the offense will run through Anze Kopitar, who’s got 27 assists and 17 goals on the year.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Nashville Predators Free Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Two of Los Angeles’ last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in three of their last five matches.
- Los Angeles has managed 31.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Nashville has been attempting 37.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Over Los Angeles’ last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-3 in those games).
- Los Angeles skaters recorded 27.3 hits per game last season, while the Predators posted 21.0 hits per matchup.
