The Staples Center will be hosting an enticing matchup as the Vegas Golden Knights pay a visit to the City of Angels to take on the Los Angeles Kings. This Pacific Division matchup will get going at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29, and it’ll be showcased live on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Moneyline odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
Vegas is 21-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.2 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 40 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the away team this season, the Knights are 9-13 SU.
Vegas has converted on 21.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and it has successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
Vegas, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box just 3.3 times per game in the 2018-19 season, and 2.6 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 5.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 25.5 saves per game with a .908 save percentage, Marc-Andre Fleury (21-14-4) has been the best option in goal for Vegas this year. If head coach Gerard Gallant decides to rest him, however, the team might turn to Malcolm Subban (0-6 record, .881 save percentage, 3.48 goals against average).
Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Golden Knights. Marchessault has 29 points on 13 goals and 16 assists, and has recorded two or more points in seven different games. Karlsson has 14 goals and 15 assists to his creditand has logged at least one point in 21 games.
On the other side of the rink, Los Angeles is 15-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 20 of its outings have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 9-11 SU at home.
Los Angeles has converted on just 15.1 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.1 percent of all penalties.
The Kings have been penalized only 3.3 times per game this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five match ups. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick has stopped 26.9 shots per game as the top choice in the crease for Los Angeles. Quick has five wins, 10 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit and has registered a subpar .904 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average this season.
The home team offense will be led by Anze Kopitar (eight goals, 16 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Los Angeles has allowed 3.0 goals per game overall this season, but has allowed just 1.8 per contest over its four-game winning streak.
- This game features two of the more aggressive teams in the league. Vegas skaters have accounted for the fourth-most hits in the league (27.3 per game) and the Kings have recorded the 12th-most (22.8).
