Two clubs that are facing each other for the final time this season, the Ottawa Senators and the Los Angeles Kings face off at the Staples Center in a cross-continent matchup. The puck drops at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7, and it will be showcased live on Fox Sports West.
Ottawa Senators at Los Angeles Kings Odds
The Kings are 18-11 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 5.0 units this year. That win percentage, ranked fifth in the NHL so far in this young season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (39-43). Of the teams 29 games this season, 11 have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 8-7 SU at home this year.
Los Angeles has converted on 17.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked first overall, and it’s successfully killed off 89.6 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.3 per game over its past ten matchups. The teams had to kill penalties for just 7.8 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Sporting a .929 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (14-9-1) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Kings this season. If head coach John Stevens chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Darcy Kuemper (4-4-4 record, .944 save percentage, 1.72 goals against average).
Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown will both lead the charge for the Kings. Kopitar (34 points) has tallied 15 goals and 19 assists and has recorded multiple points on eight different occasions this year. Brown has 11 goals and 13 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 15 games.
On the other bench, Ottawa is 9-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 25 regular season contests, 14 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and none have pushed. As a road team so far, Ottawa is 5-6 SU.
Ottawa has converted on just 16.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully defended 76.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s skaters have been penalized only 3.6 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (.895 save percentage and 3.06 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 23.8 saves per game and has eight wins, 12 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
Mark Stone (14 goals, 11 assists) will pace the attack for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in three of Los Angeles last five games.
- The Senators are 4-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 6-10 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total.
- Ottawa (1-4 in shootouts) has more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Los Angeles, however, is undefeated in two shootouts this year.
- Los Angeles skaters have forced 4.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 5.1 takeaways per game (ranked 30th in the NHL).
- Ottawa is ranked 17th in the NHL this season with 7.4 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down lately, however, as the team has created 6.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.0 takeaways over its last five.
