Hurricanes vs. Kings Odds
| Hurricanes Odds | -150 |
| Kings Odds | +130 |
| Over/Under | 5.5 |
| Time | 4 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes will play the third game of their season-long six-game road trip against the surprising Kings at Staples Center.
The Hurricanes have won three straight and eight of their past 10 games and are ahead of the second-place Washington Capitals by one point, with two games in hand.
Los Angeles, which just had its eight-game point streak snapped with a 2-0 loss to the Capitals on Thursday, will try to start a new streak after going 7-0-1 in its previous eight games.
Hurricanes Top the Charts in Variety of Metrics
The Hurricanes are rolling. They have the best point percentage in the game (.867), rank first in team save percentage (.931), Corsi-for percentage (55.1), goals-for percentage (64.5) and are second in expected goals percentage (55.3), according to Natural Stat Trick.
The possession numbers are unsurprising, given Carolina's dominant forecheck and aggressive style under coach Rod Brind'Amour. But Carolina is near the top of the NHL standings thanks largely to Frederik Andersen. The goalie, who signed a two-year, $9 million contract during the offseason, is fourth in the NHL in save percentage (.941), third in goals-against average (1.70), third in goals-saved above average (9.59) and 11th in high-danger goals saved above average (2.9).
As a result, the Hurricanes have given up the fewest goals in the NHL (28). They also have the NHL's best road record, boasting a 7-1 mark through eight games away from Raleigh to date.
Kings Have Surprised With Fast Start
The Kings have been one of the league's best stories early, despite being without standout defenseman Drew Doughty, who hasn't played since sustaining a lower-body injury against the Dallas Stars on October 22.
Still, Los Angeles has been carried by captain Anze Kopitar, who is having a resurgent year with 16 points in the Kings' first 16 games. Los Angeles also has been strong at suppressing goals early as the Kings are tied with the Capitals for sixth-fewest goals surrendered so far (39).
The Kings have been unlucky scoring thus far though, netting just 42 goals through 16 games. Los Angeles is shooting just 7.5 percent, the fourth-worst mark in the league.
Expect Cal Petersen to get the start for Los Angeles in goal as the Kings have toggled between him and Jonathan Quick for much of the season and they will play in Arizona on Sunday. Petersen is 4-2-1 with a .902 save percentage and 2.84 goals-against average.
Hurricanes vs. Kings Pick
The only thing that would worry me from the Hurricanes perspective is them coming out flat with the early start and two impressive wins over two Western Conference titans, the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks.
I wouldn't pick Carolina to sweep its lengthy road trip. But I also wouldn't bet against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Pick: Carolina ML (-150)
