by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Jan 26, 2023
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL
Where to watch: BSFLX, BSW
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Panthers -150, Kings +130
FanDuel: Panthers -150, Kings +122
BetMGM: Panthers -160, Kings +135
Caesars: Panthers -161, Kings +135
Season record
Kings: 27-17-6
Panthers: 23-21-6
We’ve hit the halfway mark in the NHL season. Yes, you read that right. We’re really hit that halfway mark that quickly. If you blinked, you probably missed a lot of good things happen in the hockey world. And with football about to be out of the way, look for our champion handicappers to get back on the rink. Oskeim Sports is on a 13-5-0 run in the NHL over the last 30 days, as is Will Rogers. Sean Murphy has also cashed in with a 16-10-0 run in the last month. Make sure you’re following our champion handicappers at bigal.com to get on this winning action!
Kings - Panthers preview, prediction and analysis
The Los Angeles Kings will be playing the Florida Panthers on Friday, January 27 in Florida.
The Los Angeles Kings won against the Philadelphia Flyers last Tuesday, January 24 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a score of 4-3 in overtime. The Los Angeles Kings currently rank 3rd in the Pacific Division.
Kevin Fiala scored at 1:09 of overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 4-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers
Fiala scored on a 2-on-1 rush, keeping the puck and shooting after Scott Laughton hit the post and Pheonix Copley saved Travis Sanheim's follow-up attempt at the other end of the ice.
"It's obviously a great shot by Kevin," Los Angeles captain Anze Kopitar said. "'Copper' bailed us out back there with a nice save, and we were able to capitalize on that."
Kopitar scored twice, and Copley made 28 saves for the Kings (27-17-6), who have won their past two games after losing three in a row for the second time this season.
Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said Fiala's line with Blake Lizotte and Jaret Anderson-Dolan was supposed to be out on the ice at the end of the third period, but he kept them on the bench so Fiala would be ready for overtime.
"I don't think he was real happy with that, but that was us thinking ahead," McLellan said of Fiala, who had his 15th multipoint game. "Thank goodness we had him out there fresh and he was able to finish."
Samuel Fagemo tied it 3-3 for Los Angeles at 18:36 of the second period on a wrist shot from the slot through traffic.
Fagemo had failed to track Rasmus Ristolainen when he put the Flyers up 3-2 at 10:37 of the second by cutting across the crease and scoring on a backhand off van Riemsdyk's pass from the right point.
McLellan was pleased with Fagemo's response, including his second NHL goal in 11 career games.
"I know 'Sammy' was disappointed in Ristolainen's goal," McLellan said. "It was an opportunity for him to check that situation and let it get away on him, and he knew right away. But then to come back and answer with the goal itself was really important. And that timing of that goal and the momentum there was important for our team as well."
The Los Angeles Kings have won six of their last 10 games.
The Florida Panthers lost against the Pittsburgh Penguins last Tuesday, January 24 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a score of 7-6 in overtime. The Florida Panthers currently rank 5th in the Atlantic Division.
Carter Verhaeghe scored twice, Aaron Ekblad had a goal and two assists, and Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers. Alex Lyon made 42 saves after allowing five goals on 25 shots in a 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Monday.
"You want it so bad for them because they have nothing left and they gave what they have to give," Florida coach Paul Maurice said. "Each guy had a piece of the game where he tried to make an impact. It's a tough way to lose a hockey game. And it's over."
Malkin gave Pittsburgh a 6-5 lead at 14:30 of the third period with a one-timer on the power play before Verhaeghe wrapped a shot inside the right post to tie it 6-6 at 17:28 with his NHL-career high 25th goal.
"I think we battled back all game," Verhaeghe said. "It was really eventful. We kind of stuck with being even-keeled the whole way, trusted the way we played. I liked the way we played. Had some unfortunate bounces."
The Florida Panthers have won five of their last 10 games.
Prediction
The Panthers are likely in need of some good home cooking before the All-Star break, and this would do it, especially if they're hosting the All-Star Game. Seems like a good chance for them to play well at home. Panthers 3, Kings 1
The Los Angeles Kings won against the Philadelphia Flyers last Tuesday, January 24 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a score of 4-3 in overtime. The Los Angeles Kings currently rank 3rd in the Pacific Division.
Kevin Fiala scored at 1:09 of overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 4-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers
Fiala scored on a 2-on-1 rush, keeping the puck and shooting after Scott Laughton hit the post and Pheonix Copley saved Travis Sanheim's follow-up attempt at the other end of the ice.
"It's obviously a great shot by Kevin," Los Angeles captain Anze Kopitar said. "'Copper' bailed us out back there with a nice save, and we were able to capitalize on that."
Kopitar scored twice, and Copley made 28 saves for the Kings (27-17-6), who have won their past two games after losing three in a row for the second time this season.
Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan said Fiala's line with Blake Lizotte and Jaret Anderson-Dolan was supposed to be out on the ice at the end of the third period, but he kept them on the bench so Fiala would be ready for overtime.
"I don't think he was real happy with that, but that was us thinking ahead," McLellan said of Fiala, who had his 15th multipoint game. "Thank goodness we had him out there fresh and he was able to finish."
Samuel Fagemo tied it 3-3 for Los Angeles at 18:36 of the second period on a wrist shot from the slot through traffic.
Fagemo had failed to track Rasmus Ristolainen when he put the Flyers up 3-2 at 10:37 of the second by cutting across the crease and scoring on a backhand off van Riemsdyk's pass from the right point.
McLellan was pleased with Fagemo's response, including his second NHL goal in 11 career games.
"I know 'Sammy' was disappointed in Ristolainen's goal," McLellan said. "It was an opportunity for him to check that situation and let it get away on him, and he knew right away. But then to come back and answer with the goal itself was really important. And that timing of that goal and the momentum there was important for our team as well."
The Los Angeles Kings have won six of their last 10 games.
The Florida Panthers lost against the Pittsburgh Penguins last Tuesday, January 24 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a score of 7-6 in overtime. The Florida Panthers currently rank 5th in the Atlantic Division.
Carter Verhaeghe scored twice, Aaron Ekblad had a goal and two assists, and Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers. Alex Lyon made 42 saves after allowing five goals on 25 shots in a 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Monday.
"You want it so bad for them because they have nothing left and they gave what they have to give," Florida coach Paul Maurice said. "Each guy had a piece of the game where he tried to make an impact. It's a tough way to lose a hockey game. And it's over."
Malkin gave Pittsburgh a 6-5 lead at 14:30 of the third period with a one-timer on the power play before Verhaeghe wrapped a shot inside the right post to tie it 6-6 at 17:28 with his NHL-career high 25th goal.
"I think we battled back all game," Verhaeghe said. "It was really eventful. We kind of stuck with being even-keeled the whole way, trusted the way we played. I liked the way we played. Had some unfortunate bounces."
The Florida Panthers have won five of their last 10 games.
Prediction
The Panthers are likely in need of some good home cooking before the All-Star break, and this would do it, especially if they're hosting the All-Star Game. Seems like a good chance for them to play well at home. Panthers 3, Kings 1
Betting trends
Kings are 11-8 after a non-conference game this season.
Kings are 12-12 after a road game this season.
Panthers are 6-15 revenging a loss as a favorite this season.
Panthers are 11-6 off a one-goal loss on the road the last 3 seasons.
Projected lines
Kings:
Quinton Byfield -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Alex Iafallo -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala -- Blake Lizotte -- Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Rasmus Kupari -- Alex Turcotte -- Samuel Fagemo
Mikey Anderson -- Drew Doughty
Sean Durzi -- Matt Roy
Alexander Edler -- Sean Walker
Pheonix Copley
Quinton Byfield -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Alex Iafallo -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala -- Blake Lizotte -- Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Rasmus Kupari -- Alex Turcotte -- Samuel Fagemo
Mikey Anderson -- Drew Doughty
Sean Durzi -- Matt Roy
Alexander Edler -- Sean Walker
Pheonix Copley
Panthers:
Sam Reinhart -- Aleksander Barkov -- Anton Lundell
Matthew Tkachuk -- Colin White -- Carter Verhaeghe
Grigori Denisenko -- Nick Cousins -- Eetu Luostarinen
Ryan Lomberg -- Chris Tierney -- Givani Smith
Gustav Forsling -- Aaron Ekblad
Marc Staal -- Brandon Montour
Josh Mahura -- Radko Gudas
Spencer Knight
Sam Reinhart -- Aleksander Barkov -- Anton Lundell
Matthew Tkachuk -- Colin White -- Carter Verhaeghe
Grigori Denisenko -- Nick Cousins -- Eetu Luostarinen
Ryan Lomberg -- Chris Tierney -- Givani Smith
Gustav Forsling -- Aaron Ekblad
Marc Staal -- Brandon Montour
Josh Mahura -- Radko Gudas
Spencer Knight
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
