by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Jan 25, 2024
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Friday, January 26, 2024
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Kings +120, Avalanche -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Kings +120, Avalanche -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Kings +120, Avalanche -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
Los Angeles Kings: 22-14-9 (4th place, Pacific Division)
Colorado Avalanche: 31-14-3 (2nd place, Central Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Kings: 2-5-3 last 10
Colorado Avalanche: 7-3-0 last 10
Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche Preview and Analysis
The Kings are entering this game with 53 points, a 22-14-9 record overall, and they are 14-5-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Buffalo Sabres in their last game, losing that one at home 5-3. Adrian Kempe, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Anže Kopitar scored 1 goal for them in that game. Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield, Brandt Clarke, Drew Doughty, Alex Laferriere, and Matt Roy each led the team in assists with 1 while Trevor Moore led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Cam Talbot was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 5 goals on 37 shots with 32 saves and a .865 save percentage. Their offense has scored 144 goals this season averaging 3.2 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 121 goals against them allowing 2.7 goals per game.
The Avalanche are entering this game with 65 points, a 31-14-3 record overall, and they are 19-5-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Washington Capitals in their last game, winning that one at home 6-2. Nathan MacKinnon led the team in goals scored with 4 as he recorded the hattrick while Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Mikko Rantanen led the team in assists with 4 while Nathan MacKinnon led the team in shots on net in that game with 8. Alexandar Georgiev was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 25 shots with 23 saves and a .920 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 185 goals this season averaging 3.9 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 152 goals against them allowing 3.2 goals per game.
Kings vs Avalanche Prediction
The current betting odds have the Avalanche listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Avalanche have looked really good in their games this season with their 31-14-3 record overall which has them in 2nd place of their division in the West. They have also looked really good on home ice this year with their 19-5-0 home record. Meanwhile, the Kings have looked good in their games this season with their 22-14-9 record overall which has them in 4th place of their division in the West, but lately they haven't looked so good and have been slipping down the standings as a result. They have gone ice cold as they are only 2-5-3 in their last 10 games and they just blew another lead in their last game, losing to the Sabres. They have looked better in their road games this year with their 14-5-3 road record but a lot of that came at the beginning of the season when they were playing a lot better too. The Avalanche have been hot lately with their 7-3-0 record in their last 10 games and they just rolled the Capitals in their last game too. The Avalanche are fighting to win their division and they have been the much hotter team lately. The best way to place a bet here is on the Avalanche to win this game.
Kings Avalanche Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Friday, January 26, 2024 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Avalanche 5 Kings 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Los Angeles Kings: 22-23 (-12.2 units) on the moneyline in all games. 12-16 (-9.4 units) on the moneyline after a home game where both teams score 3 or more goals. 26-18 UNDER in all games. 18-6 UNDER after allowing 4 goals or more 2 straight games. 14-6 UNDER in a road game where the total is 6 or more.
Colorado Avalanche: 157-81 (+16 units) on the moneyline in all games. 37-14 (+14.8 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss where the opponent scored 4 or more goals. 11-4 UNDER revenging a loss versus opponent. 8-5 UNDER after playing 4 straight games where 7 or more total goals were scored.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Kings: B. Lizotte (C) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. P. Copley (G) out for season - Knee. V. Arvidsson (RW) Mid Feb - Back.
Colorado Avalanche: J. Johnson (D) Ques Fri - Undisclosed. V. Nichushkin (RW) Out indefinitely - Personal. P. Francouz (G) out for season - Groin. G. Landeskog (LW) out for season - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“That’s unacceptable. We’re up 3-1. We’re maybe not playing our best, but the stupidity that went into that loss is unexplainable. I haven’t until now been able to come in and say' boy, we played really dumb. And that’s what we did.” - Todd McLellan after his team’s loss against the Sabres in their game on Wednesday.
“He’s always been the most dedicated guy off the ice since I’ve been here but what he’s doing this year, he’s really consistent with it. I’m talking going from great to elite habits off the ice.” - Jared Bednar after his team’s win against the Capitals in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
LW Byfield, Quinton
C Kopitar, Anze
RW Kempe, Adrian
LD Anderson, Michael
RD Doughty, Drew
G Talbot, Cam
Colorado Avalanche
LW Drouin, Jonathan
C MacKinnon, Nathan
RW Rantanen, Mikko
LD Toews, Devon
RD Makar, Cale
G Georgiev, Alexandar
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Kings
Points: A. Kempe (42)
Goals: T. Moore (21)
Assists: K. Fiala (30)
GAA: D. Rittich (1.76)
Colorado Avalanche
Points: N. MacKinnon (82)
Goals: N. MacKinnon (30)
Assists: N. MacKinnon (52)
GAA: A. Georgiev (2.95)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Kings: Todd McLellan (5th season)
Colorado Avalanche: Jared Bednar (8th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
