Kings vs. Golden Knights Odds
| Kings Odds | -112 |
| Golden Knights Odds | -108 |
| Over / Under | 6 -122/ +102 |
Two contenders for the Stanley Cup will face each other tonight when the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights host the LA Kings. The betting market is finally starting to respect the Kings' elite form, and they are now priced at just +1200 to win it all as they own the league's second-best record.
The Knights enter in the midst of a four-game losing streak and continue to trend closer to the pack after an incredible start to the year. It seems valid to think they are in coast mode skating through the dog days of the regular season, but Thursday's matchup should grab their attention.
Find my Kings vs Golden Knights NHL betting preview and prediction below.
Los Angeles Kings
If we are strictly speaking about the play displayed so far this season, the Kings deserve to power rated as the NHL's top team.
Quinton Byfield has been dominant on the top line skating alongside Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar. Byfield's ability to read and make plays at the NHL level has become more and more evident, and his game features a scary combination of his speed and size.
Kevin Fiala, Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore compile a second line which could be considered the best second unit in the league. They own a 70.5% Expected Goals Rating and have the talent to continue such dominance.
The greatest letdown for the Kings has been the play of Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has been less than dominant and mainly used as the third-line center. That could still be viewed as a strength as we have seen the low end of his potential to this point, and he could be more likely to display better form in the season's back half if anything.
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The Kings feature a deep defensive corps, whose mobility and length allows for excellent rush defense while also moving the puck up the ice effectively.
They own a 56.98% Expected Goals Rating this season and a 55.98% mark over the last 10 games. The eye test agrees that this team is playing at an elite level, and it's easy to see why given the composition of the roster.
The greatest preseason concern for the Kings was a goaltending tandem of Cam Talbot and Pheonix Copley. To this point Talbot has been excellent, although his numbers are boosted by the best defensive environment in the NHL. He owns a +10.8 GSAx and .925 save percentage across 22 appearances and should start tonight after resting yesterday against San Jose.
Vegas Golden Knights
In previous years, several defending Stanley Cup champions have coasted to the postseason, and it seems like that is the case with the Knights this season. Their Cup run finished on June 14th, and they have skated through a packed schedule thus far, as their 36 games are tied for the most played.
The Knights have played to a 5-5-0 record in their last 10 games. They still own a 55.52% Expected Goals Rating in that sample, although I would argue their defensive play has not been as sharp as we have traditionally seen. Nonetheless, their goaltenders' save percentage of only .874 is clearly tanking their results.
Adin Hill remains sidelined, and Logan Thompson played last night against Anaheim, so we will likely see Jiri Patera start Thursday. Patera has played to a -2.5 GSAx and .898 save percentage in four NHL appearances this season and also owns a .900 save percentage in 14 AHL appearances.
Kings vs. Golden Knights
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Kings have offered better overall play this season than the Knights and enter this matchup in better form. There is a valid case to be made that if Talbot continues to play at a high level, the Kings should have the highest power rating in the league as they also have the most complete roster.
In the Knights' defense, it does appear that they have been coasting along while waiting to round into form when the games really matter. Their overall play has clearly dropped off, but this roster still looks superb and will surely head into the postseason as a favorite barring a significant injury.
The notion that Vegas is coasting along does have legitimate handicapping merit, and I am far more willing to credit motivational angles with this team than any other. That makes me like the Kings a little less in this spot, as the Knights were embarrassed last night by a bad Ducks team and lost at home to the Kings 4-1 in November.
We know the Knights are more capable than they have shown lately and will be up for this spot. However, they are facing arguably the best team in hockey here with a third-string goaltender, and that makes me believe the Kings should be favored. I would bet the Kings down to -110 on the moneyline.
Pick: Kings Moneyline (-110 or Better)
