The Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils take the ice at the Prudential Center for a cross-country showdown. This one gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 12 and it can be watched live on Fox Sports West.
Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils Odds
Los Angeles (-135) is currently favored over New Jersey (+115), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -140 under, +120 over.
Los Angeles is 20-11 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 7.0 units this year. Through 31 regular season contests, 17 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just two have pushed. This 2017-18 Kings team is 10-4 SU on the road.
Los Angeles has converted on just 16.7 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. Its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and the team’s successfully killed off a whopping 88.3 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Kings have been sent to the penalty box 3.9 times per game this season, 3.6 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .930 save percentage, Jonathan Quick (15-9-1) has been the primary option in goal for Los Angeles this year. If it decides to rest him, however, head coach John Stevens could roll with Darcy Kuemper (5-4-2), who has a .941 save percentage and 1.88 goals against average this year.
The visiting Kings will be led by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Kopitar has 38 points via 16 goals and 22 assists, and has recorded two or more points 10 times. Brown has 12 goals and 14 assists to his name, and has logged a point in 17 games.
New Jersey is 16-13 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 29 regular season outings, 15 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just one has pushed. It’s 6-7 SU as the home team this season.
The Devils have converted on just 19.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Devils skaters have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their last five games total, and 4.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider has stopped 30.3 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for the Devils. Schneider has 12 wins, nine losses, and three overtime losses to his name and has registered a mediocre 2.72 goals against average and a .919 save percentage this season.
Taylor Hall (nine goals, 20 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Devils.
Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 2-2 in shootouts.
The under has hit in three of Los Angeles’ last five outings.
Los Angeles has attempted 31.5 shots per game overall this season (ranked 17th in the NHL), and 28.0 in its last five road games.
Over Los Angeles’ last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-0 in those games).
Los Angeles skaters have given out the fifth-most hits in the league (24.2 per game).
