Hurricanes vs Kings Odds
| Hurricanes Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +195 | 5.5 -134o / +110u | -126 |
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -240 | 5.5 -134o / +110u | +104 |
After a solid win on Opening Night, the Carolina Hurricanes head west to take on the Los Angeles Kings.
The Hurricanes, in that win, looked as dominant as ever as 12 players registered a point on Wednesday.
The Kings didn’t have the same luck as their counterparts. In front of their home fans, the Kings fell to the Colorado Avalanche.
Los Angeles has high hopes this season after adding Pierre-Luc Dubois in the offseason, but Wednesday was a rough start.
Here’s a look at the odds, as well as my betting prediction for the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
Carolina Hurricanes
Sebastian Aho separated himself as an elite player in the playoffs last season. Whenever the Hurricanes need someone to step up, Aho seemingly comes through.
This is about as well-rounded of a team as there is in the league.
Signing Michael Bunting was a huge get, and staples like Teuvo Teravainen, Jaccob Slavin and Martin Necas have helped Carolina become one of the better teams over the past five years.
It’s too early to tell who’s the best of the best this season, but we know Carolina was among the best play drivers last season. It was the best team in expected goals with a 59.88 xGF% and the top defensive team with a 2.17 xGA/60.
This team doesn't have many weaknesses but does need to get better at the power play. The Canes struggled in the playoffs with the man advantage and scored only 19% of the time in the regular season.
They were, however, elite on the penalty kill, stopping 84% of power plays in both the regular season and in the playoffs.
Another year, another season where we don’t know who Carolina’s preferred choice in net is. Frederik Andersen started against Ottawa, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Antti Raanta take the crease.
Either way, it won’t matter. They’re both solid options, but I’m sure the team would like to settle on a goalie this season.
Los Angeles Kings
Led by veterans Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, the Kings are armed with excellent pieces.
Los Angeles did pretty decently at driving play last season. The Kings played to a 52.64 xGF% and created an ample amount of high danger chances.
Defensively, they were among the league’s elite, allowing 3.1 goals per game and a 2.38 xGA/60.
The Kings were also among the league’s best power play, and I expect that to continue. They scored at a 25% rate but neglected to score in five chances on Wednesday. On the penalty kill, though, LA struggled mightily with a bottom-10 76%.
However, I’ve become very weary of the Kings’ goaltending situation. They’re running 36-year-old Cam Talbot out as the starter with Pheonix Copley backing up.
Neither is a legit starter anymore, but Talbot may be the best option. He struggled on Wednesday stopping 32 out 36 shots, though he did play to a +2.9 goals saved above expected (GSAx).
Betting Pick & Prediction
On Wednesday, the Kings played so poorly, that I was stunned they managed to score two goals against a powerhouse. Regardless of the power play struggles, I think they’ll bounce back.
Los Angeles may have gotten Dubois in the offseason, but it lost two key players and a depth piece. Players like Alex Laferriere, Arthur Kaliyev and Carl Grundstrom will need to step up and replace the production the Kings lost.
The Hurricanes are well put together all around. They roll out four lines consistently, have a ton of bite and either goaltender can step in at any moment. They just have a lot more elite talent than their opposition.
Not only that, but Carolina got off to a quick start, and Los Angeles still has some things to work on.
Carolina’s the better team in all facets of the game, which makes me believe the Canes will take this in regulation.
The Pick: Carolina Hurricanes 3-Way Moneyline (+125)
