Don’t look now, but some inconsistent play over the past month has the Los Angeles Kings’ lead in the Pacific Division shrinking on a daily basis. The prospect of extending that lead will get tough as the club continues its road trip at the Washington Capitals Tuesday evening.
- The Kings are 0-5 in their last five games playing on one days’ rest.
- UNDER is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between the Kings and Captials.
- The Kings are 9-4 in their last 13 road games.
The Kings suddenly have just a five-point lead over the Anaheim Ducks in the Pacific Division and have rotated wins and losses over the last nine games. They are in the midst of a seven-game road trip which has seen them go 2-2, including a 1-0 loss at the New Jersey Devils Sunday.
Netminder Jonathan Quick has missed the last three games due to a lower-body injury but, according to Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times, he is in line to return to the crease tonight. Jhonas Enroth and Peter Budaj have taken turns in the blue paint for L.A. with the latter backstopping the team to a 5-4 win over the New York Rangers on Friday.
The Capitals lead the NHL with a whopping 84 points but are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars Saturday. That loss snapped a five-game win streak so the Caps will look to start another one against a club that has performed very well versus them. The Kings have gone 8-1 in the last nine meetings with the Caps, which includes splitting both meetings in February of last season.
At this point of the season, this could very well be a preview of the Stanley Cup Final but the Kings better better start stringing wins together before other teams in the Pacific catch up.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 3.2-2.2 victory for the Capitals. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Los Angeles Kings vs Washington Capitals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Washington Capitals are 40-10-4 so far on the season. The Los Angeles Kings, meanwhile, are 33-19-3. OVER/UNDER betting fans have seen Washington go 23-20-11 and the Kings go 18-20-17 on the totals. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Los Angeles injuries news.
According to new NHL Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, it's the No. 3-ranked Washington Capitals and the No. 2-rated Los Angeles Kings in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Washington's No. 1-ranked offense, averaging 3.35 goals per game, against a Kings defense that ranks No. 6 at 2.38 goals allowed. The Capitals power play is averaging 25.61% while the Kings defense kills off 81.63% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for Los Angeles, they were a 1-0 loser as they battled the Devils on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Devils at +147 were rewarded, while the 1 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.
In their last action, Washington was a 4-3 loser on the road against the Stars. Bettors on Dallas at +110 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (7) sent OVER bettors home happy as well.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 7 games
- Los Angeles is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games on the road
- Los Angeles is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington
- Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 10 games
- Washington is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home
- Washington is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Los Angeles
Next Betting Matchups
Los Angeles at St. Louis, Thursday, February 18th
Washington at New York, Thursday, February 18th
