The action-packed NHL Saturday excitement keeps rolling on as the Los Angeles Kings continue their Canadian road trip by visiting the Jets in Winnipeg. It is time to check out our NHL odds series, in which our Kings-Jets prediction and pick will be selected.
LA is looking to wrap up their brief three-game Canada road trip on a positive note Saturday, as the Kings have split both games up north thus far. After losing in heartbreaking fashion in a shootout versus the Oilers, the Kings rebounded nicely by stealing one in Calgary 3-2 versus the well-rounded Flames. Los Angeles is now 37-23-10 on the season, including going 5-3-2 in their previous ten matchups.
As for Winnipeg, every game remaining on the schedule is as meaningful as ever. Trailing the Vegas Golden Knights by four points for the last spot in the wild card race with 13 games remaining, the Jets need to find a way to put together their best string of hockey starting now. The Jets are 33-26-10 and have been playing well recently, going 7-3-0 over their last ten games. The postseason has arrived for the Winnipeg jets, can they find a way to avoid elimination with the regular season soon to be in the rearview mirror?
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Kings-Jets NHL odds:
NHL Odds: Kings-Jets Odds
Los Angeles Kings: +1.5 (-220)
Winnipeg Jets: -1.5 (+180)
Over: 6 (-114)
Under: 6 (-106)
Why the Kings Could Cover the Spread
When no one gave the Kings much of a chance in their matchup against Calgary a couple of days ago, LA made sure to prove to the sports betting public that they were wrong. Los Angeles not only found a way to cover the spread, but they also managed to hang on to the shootout victory at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Kings outshot Calgary 32-28 and also had the edge in face-off wins 32-27. Despite even being outhit 27-9, LA enforced their will at the most critical of times, which resulted in a valiant road win that the Kings had to have.
In order for the same result to be had on Saturday and to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in a tight Western Conference, the Kings need to get more production out of their offense. LA is only averaging 2.8 goals per game, which is only ranked as the 10th-best mark in the entire West. Playmakers such as C Anze Kopitar, RW Adrian Kempe, and RW Viktor Arvidsson will need to right the ship after the Kings lost their previous meeting on Nov. 13th versus Winnipeg that resulted in a 3-2 defeat. In good news, Los Angeles is a terrific team versus the spread, going 42-28 in 70 games played.
Why the Jets Could Cover the Spread
The Jets are as playoff-worthy as just about any other team in the savagery that is the Western Conference, and they should be able to demonstrate that fact when the puck drops against the Kings. Keep in mind, Winnipeg has grown accustomed to paving their way to the postseason, as the Jets have been playoff participants in each of the past four seasons. Whether or not they can cover the spread and ultimately give the home fans of Winnipeg something to cheer for on Saturday night is a different story. Winnipeg is more than capable, however, as the Jets have a 19-13-2 record at home this year and have been playing well of late.
Leading the mission on offense has been the incredible play of left-winger Kyle Connor, as his 82 points is ninth-most in the NHL. Astonishingly, Connor has displayed nearly perfect balance in his game with identical numbers of 41 goals and 41 assists. Connor also has scored five goals in his last five home games versus the Kings. With this type of guaranteed production out of if not the best player on Winnipeg's roster, the door will be open for other notable difference-makers to leave their mark during this game as well. It also helps to have arguably the most prolific goaltender in hockey this year in Connor Hellebuyck, who has the most wins in the league with 25 and is only giving up 1.70 goals per contest in his last four starts.
Final Kings-Jets Prediction & Pick
The Kings have shown they can go in and win on the road, but coming out on top as the visitor in any professional sports league is easier said than done. Regardless, with that being said, this specific line happens to work in LA's favor. The Kings are too good of a team to fall flat on the road and lose by more than one goal. This is going to be a scrappy contest that may see Los Angeles find their way in a third straight shootout finish. Even with Winnipeg's urgency to win, the Kings are the better team and it should show as the game moves along.
Final Kings-Jets Pick: Kings +1.5 (-220)
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