Two clubs that are facing each other for the third and final time this year, the Minnesota Wild and the Los Angeles Kings take the ice at the Staples Center in a Western Conference showdown. Fox Sports West will air the game, which gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 5.
Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds
Los Angeles is 44-36 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division so far in the early season, is a welcome improvement compared to what the team did during last year’s regular season (39-43). Through 80 regular season outings, 42 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 22-17 SU at home.
The Kings have converted on 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked third overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.9 percent of all penalties.
The Kings, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five match ups. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays for just 6.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Boasting a .924 save percentage and 27.1 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (32 wins, 30 losses, and three OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for the Kings this season. If Los Angeles chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Darcy Kuemper (10-9-9 record, .932 save percentage, 2.10 goals against average).
The Kings will continue to rely on leadership out of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Kopitar (91 points) has produced 35 goals and 56 assists and has recorded multiple points in 24 different games this year. Doughty has 10 goals and 49 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 42 games.
Minnesota is 44-36 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. Through 80 regular season contests, 39 of its games have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and just four have pushed. As an away team, the Wild are 17-22 SU.
The Wild have converted on 20.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.0 percent of all penalties.
Minnesota’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their past ten outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Devan Dubnyk (2.51 goals against average and .918 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk is averaging 27.1 saves per game and has 35 wins, 24 losses, and seven OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Wild will be Eric Staal, who has 40 goals and 34 assists this year.
Minnesota Wild at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Minnesota is 3-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 2-1 in shootouts.
The under has hit in four of Los Angeles’ last five games.
Over Minnesota’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-2 in those games).
The Kings this season have recorded the third-most hits per game (26.0), but the team’s averaged 29.8 over their past five home games.
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