Kings vs. Red Wings Odds
| Kings Odds | -170 |
| Red Wings Odds | +140 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -104o / -118u |
Here's everything you need to know about Kings vs. Red Wings on Saturday, Jan. 13 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Detroit won the first meeting between these two teams just over a week ago, claiming a 4-3 shootout victory.
Will we see another high-scoring affair, or can the goaltending step up this time around?
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Kings vs. Red Wings prediction and pick.
Los Angeles Kings
Despite the recent slide, Los Angeles remains firmly in the hunt for the Pacific Division title, as it currently sits in third place with four games in hand.
There is so much to like about this team and its competitive style of hockey, but mainly how it stuffs opposing offenses.
This season, the Kings rank in the top three in the league in goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game and penalty kill percentage. Their underlying metrics also suggest that regression is unlikely.
At 5-on-5, Los Angeles ranks seventh in Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Backing up this elite two-way team is goaltender Cam Talbot, and he is slated to start between the pipes Saturday.
Currently one of the favorites in the Vezina Trophy betting market, Talbot is 14-9-5 with a commanding .922 SV% and 2.22 GAA.
Talbot was not in net for that first matchup between these two clubs, which makes me more confident in betting the under this time around.
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Detroit Red Wings
Across the ice, goaltender Alex Lyon is slated to guard the cage for Detroit. Lyon has flown under the radar as one of the best netminders in the league this season.
Through 13 starts, he is 8-4-1 with a .922 SV% and 2.54 GAA. That's a smaller sample size, but he has thrived in his role nonetheless.
This success is likely to continue against Los Angeles, a team Lyon boasts a .920 SV% and 2.92 GAA against through two career starts.
However, I suspect goal support is going to be tough to come by for the Red Wings' netminder in this contest, and that is not just because of the fact they are going against one of the toughest teams to score on in the league.
On top of that predicament, there is no offense in hockey due for regression more than the Red Wings. At 5-on-5, they rank 30th in Expected Goals For per 60 minutes (xGF/60), which puts them in the company of the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks.
The regression is already starting to hit as Detroit, which has scored just five goals over its past two games.
Kings vs. Red Wings
Betting Pick & Prediction
There were five total goals scored in each of the Red Wings' last two contests, including against the offensive-minded Edmonton Oilers. If there can only be five total goals scored in a matchup against Edmonton, then the total can definitely go under against the Kings.
In fact, there have been six or fewer total goals scored in 18 of Los Angeles' past 24 games.
This trend should not be all that shocking given the combination of its two-way play and goaltender Cam Talbot, and I expect it to continue Saturday.
I like the Under 6 at +124 via FanDuel, but there's also value in taking the Under 6.5 at -105 odds.
Pick: Under 6 (+124 at FanDuel | Play to +115)
