As the regular season winds down in the Pacific Division, the Los Angeles Kings, under interim head coach DJ Smith, are eyeing a strong finish. With less than ten games left, the Kings (30-26-18) are set to host the Nashville Predators (34-31-9) at Crypto.com Arena, wrapping up a back-to-back series on Thursday night.
Coming off a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues, the Kings have a golden opportunity to solidify their playoff position. A win against Nashville could provide a crucial buffer in the standings as the postseason approaches.
For those keeping an eye on the betting scene, here’s the lowdown: the Kings are slight favorites, with a spread of -1.5 (+198) and an over/under set at 5.5 goals. This matchup promises to be a tight one, so fans and bettors alike will want to keep their eyes peeled.
Projected lineups for the game showcase some intriguing matchups:
Kings Forwards:
- Panarin - Kopitar - Kempe
- Moore - Byfield - Laferriere
- Armia - Laughton - Wright
- Joseph - Turcotte - Ward
- *Malott (healthy scratch)
Kings Defensemen:
- Edmundson - Clarke
- Anderson - Ceci
- Doughty - Dumoulin
- *Moverare (healthy scratch)
Kings Goalies:
- Kuemper
- Forsberg
Predators Forwards:
- L’Heureux - O’Reilly - Stamkos
- Forsberg - Haula - Marchessault
- Jost - Wood - Evangelista
- Schaefer - Svechkov - Kemell
Predators Defensemen:
- Skjei - Josi
- Hague - Perbix
- Wilsby - Barron
Predators Goalies:
- Saros
- Annunen
Looking ahead, the Kings are also in the mix for some futures betting action, with odds to win the Pacific Division and a Stanley Cup line at +8000. As always, these odds are subject to change, so stay updated for the latest shifts.
With the stakes high and the season nearing its climax, both teams are set to deliver an electrifying performance. Fans are in for a treat as the Kings look to secure their playoff dreams on home ice.