Kings vs. Panthers Odds
| Kings Odds | +118 |
| Panthers Odds | -142 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +102/ -124 |
Here's everything you need to know about Kings vs. Panthers on Thursday, Jan. 10 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Los Angeles has dominated this matchup over the past several seasons as it has won each of the past six meetings between these two teams. Will the Kings take care of business once again, or can the Panthers secure a win on home ice?
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Kings vs. Panthers prediction and pick.
Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles remains firmly in the hunt for the Pacific Division title as it currently sits in third place with four games in hand. There is so much to like about this team and its competitive style of hockey, and now is the time to buy the dip after it has dropped each of its past six games.
Keep in mind that five of those six losses came by just one goal as a few bounces the other direction could result in a very different outcome over that span. Analytically, the Kings are the second-best team in the league due to their elite two-way play.
At 5-on-5, they rank third in Expected Goals For per 60 minutes (xGF/60), sixth in Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and second in Expected Goal Differential per 60 minutes. These tremendous metrics have also translated to actual results, with this club ranking in the top 12 of the league in goals scored per game, Shots on Goal per game, goals allowed per game and Shots on Goal Allowed per game.
Los Angeles also boasts the best penalty killing unit in the league, at least in terms of percentage. Goaltender Cam Talbot backs up this elite two-way team, and he is slated to guard the cage on Thursday evening.
Currently one of the favorites in the Vezina Trophy betting market, Talbot is is 14-9-4 with a commanding .922 SV% and 2.20 GAA. This success is likely to continue against Florida, a team he is 8-5 against in his career with a .921 SV% and 2.62 GAA.
Florida Panthers
Across the ice, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to start between the pipes for the Panthers. Yes, Bobrovsky is very strong in net, but he has not been as good as Talbot this year, regardless of which statistic you look at.
Furthermore, his track record against tonight's opponent is not nearly as strong, posting a 3-10-2 record with a .900 SV% in 16 career starts. Not only does Los Angeles possess the advantage in net, but it is the better team both offensively and defensively.
At 5-on-5, the Panthers rank lower than the Kings in xGF/60, xGA/60 and Expected Goal Differential per 60 minutes. The surface-level stats follow suit, with Los Angeles ranking higher than the Panthers in goals scored per game and goals allowed per game.
The only statistical advantage that Florida possesses in this matchup is on the power play, which ranks 15th in the league in percentage compared to the Kings' 18th-ranked unit. However, as highlighted above, Los Angeles possesses the best penalty kill and will be able to counteract that advantage.
(Located in North Carolina? With North Carolina sports betting coming online this year, you’ll be able to bet on the Panthers legally at major sportsbooks. Learn more.)
Kings vs. Panthers
Betting Pick & Prediction
This line is inflated toward the Panthers because they have won eight games in a row while the Kings have lost six straight. Nonetheless, Los Angeles has been playing every game close, and if a few bounces had gone its way, it would not be priced as an underdog at +118 at FanDuel.
That is a particularly generous moneyline number, given that it is three-to-four cents longer than the rest of the market. Take away the recent trends, and we are catching +118 on a team that is better offensively, defensively and in net.
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Florida is a very strong group and is obviously more than capable of extending its winning streak to nine games, but the Kings are simply too good of a team to pass up at +118 on the moneyline.
Pick: Kings ML (+118 at FanDuel | Play to +110)
