The Los Angeles Kings will play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday night at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Los Angeles has won four of their last five games, while Pittsburgh has lost three of their last four. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Kings vs Penguins prediction.
Kings Preview
The Los Angeles Kings are 26-16-10 this year after they defeated Boston in overtime by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Los Angeles tied the game at four late in the third period and they got a goal from Brandt Clarke in overtime for the win. The Kings out shot Boston by a total of 35-32 and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles defeated New Jersey by a score of 2-1 in the game prior to Boston, but lost to Buffalo by a score of 7-0 before that. The Kings are scoring 3.08 goals per game and they are allowing 2.65 goals against per game, while going 21.2% on the power play and 87% on the penalty kill. Adrian Kempe has led LA with 17 goals, 28 assists, and 155 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Los Angeles is Cam Talbot, who is 14-13-5 this year with a 2.63 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.
Penguins Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 24-20-7 this season after they defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Pittsburgh scored twice in the first period and twice in the third period for the win. The Penguins were out shot by a total of 28-27 and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh had lost their previous three games against Florida, Winnipeg, and Minnesota. The Penguins are scoring 2.90 goals per game and they are allowing 2.65 goals against per game, while going 13.5% on the power play and 81.5% on the penalty kill. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 30 goals, 24 assists, and 181 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Tristan Jarry, who is 14-16-4 this season with a 2.52 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.
Kings vs Penguins Betting Prediction
Pittsburgh was able to snap their losing streak with a win over lowly Chicago in their last game and they will be at home to try and make it two in a row. The Penguins defense has been pretty good this year, but their offense has been inconsistent. Los Angeles will be on the second game of a back to back, as they played in Boston on Saturday afternoon. The Kings are one of the better road teams in the NHL, but they have struggled on the road over the last few weeks. Los Angeles used a ton of energy in their comeback against Boston on Saturday and I think the rest advantage will be huge for Pittsburgh. Take the Penguins at home.