NHL Pick: LA Kings at Nashville Predators
Overview
The LA Kings are in Nashville where they take on the Predators. The Predators have played the Kings fairly well over the past couple seasons winning 4 of the last 6 meetings overall but they have won just 3 of the last 8 meetings at home in Nashville.
Head to Head Trends
Nashville is 4-2 in the last 6 meetings.
Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings in Nashville.
Nashville Predators (-125)
The Nashville Predators are 2nd in the Central Division with 28 points 1 point behind the 1st place St Louis Blues. This has been a great start to the season for the Predators with 13 wins through their first 20 games and they have been so consistent not losing more then 1 game in a row and not winning more then 3 games in a row. The Predators have a pretty good offense averaging 31 shots and 2.9 goals per game but their biggest strength is their defense allowing just 28 shots and 2.1 goals per game. One thing that surprised me about the Predators is that even though they have a low goals against they also have one of the worst penalty kills in the league at just 74.5% so if they could stay out of the penalty box they would be almost unbeatable.
Nashville Predators Trends
Predators are 11-2 in their last 13 home games.
Predators are 8-2 in their last 10 vs. Pacific.
LA Kings (+115)
The LA Kings are 4th in the Pacific Division 5 points back of the 1st place Anaheim Ducks. This has been a fairly mediocre start to the season for the defending Stanley Cup Champions with as 11-10 record. The Kings have one of the best home record in the league at 10-3 but they have been absolutely horrible on the road with just 1 win in 8 games. Away from home the Kings average 2.5 goals per game on offense and 3.5 goals per game on defense so I’m not sure whats going on there but it’s something they are really going to have to fix and fix soon if they want to keep pace in the West.
LA Kings Trends
Kings are 1-8 in their last 9 road games.
Kings are 0-5 in their last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Conclusion
I like the Nashville Predators over the LA Kings in this one. The Predators have been really good this season especially at home where they are 7-2 while the Kings have been absolutely horrendous on the road with just 1 win in 8 games.
Free Pick: Nashville Predators -125