The Staples Center is playing host an East-West tilt as the New York Rangers take on the Los Angeles Kings. It’s the last time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. The match will get going at 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 21, and fans at home can see the game live on Sportsnet ONE.
New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles is 24-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.7 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to what the team produced during last years regular season (39-43). Out of its 46 regular season matches, 24 of them have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 11-12 SU at home this season.
The Kings have converted on just 16.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked first overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 87.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Kings have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for 14.0 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (19-18-2) has been the top goalkeeper for Los Angeles this season. If Los Angeles decides to give him the night off, however, head coach John Stevens may turn to Darcy Kuemper (5-6-6 record, .931 save percentage, 2.21 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will each lead the offensive attack for the Kings. Kopitar (47 points) has tallied 18 goals and 29 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Brown has 15 goals and 17 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 22 games.
New York is 24-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 47 regular season outings, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the road team so far, the Rangers are 7-12 SU.
The Rangers have converted on 19.4 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 fifth overall and it’s successfully defended 83.8 percent of all penalties.
New York’s players have been penalized only 3.5 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (.924 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 29.6 saves per game and owns a 21-19-4 record.
For the visiting Rangers, the offense will be coordinated by Mats Zuccarello (eight goals, 25 assists) and Pavel Buchnevich (13 goals, 17 assists).
New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Two of New York’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 3-4 overall in shootouts this season.
- The under has hit in three of Los Angeles last five outings.
- Los Angeles has averaged 2.8 goals per game this year, but has been averaging 1.8 goals per matchup over its six-game losing streak.
- Over New York’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-4 in those games).
- The Kings this season have recorded the second-most hits per game (25.6), but the teams averaged 31.6 over their last five home outings.
