by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Dec 27, 2023
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Thursday, December 28, 2023
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Kings +105, VGK -125; Over/Under: 6 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Kings +105, VGK -125; Over/Under: 6 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Kings +105, VGK -125; Over/Under: 6 goals
Season Record
Los Angeles Kings: 19-7-4 (3rd place, Pacific Division)
Vegas Golden Knights: 21-9-5 (2nd place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Kings: 6-3-1 last 10
Vegas Golden Knights: 5-4-1 last 10
Los Angeles Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Analysis
The Kings are entering this game with 42 points, a 19-7-4 record overall, and they are 13-1-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Calgary Flames in their last game, winning that one at home 5-3, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the San Jose Sharks still to be played on Tuesday night. In their game against the Flames, Quinton Byfield led the team in goals with 2 while Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alex Laferriere, and Trevor Moore each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Drew Doughty and Anže Kopitar each led the team in assists with 2 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 3 goals on 32 shots with 29 saves and a .906 save percentage. Their offense has scored 107 goals this season averaging 3.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 73 goals against them allowing 2.4 goals per game.
The Golden Knights are entering this game with 47 points, a 21-9-5 record overall, and they are 12-3-2 in their home games this regular season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Florida Panthers 4-2 in their last game, losing that one on the road 4-2, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Anaheim Ducks still to be played on Tuesday night. In their game against the Panthers, Pavel Dorofeyev and Mark Stone each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Ivan Barbashev, Ben Hutton, and Keegan Kolesar led the team in assists with 1 while Paul Cotter, Nicolas Hague, and Jonathan Marchessault each led the team in shots on net in that game with 3. Jiri Patera was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 42 shots with 38 saves and a .905 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 122 goals this season averaging 3.5 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 96 goals against them allowing 2.7 goals per game.
Kings vs Golden Knights Prediction
The current betting odds have the Golden Knights listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Golden Knights have looked really good in their games this season with their 21-9-5 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the West. They have also looked great on home ice with their 12-3-2 home record too. Meanwhile, the Kings have also looked really good in their games this season with their 19-7-4 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the West, fighting for 1st place with Vegas. The Kings have also looked a lot better in their road games this season with their 13-1-1 road record, but after starting the season so strong on the road with no losses in their first 10 games, they are bound for some regression on the road since they have already lost 2 of their last 5 road games now. The Golden Knights have been a lot better at home this season and they are going to be ready for the Kings here with them right on their tail in the division. The Golden Knights have the motivation to win here, especially the way they were playing going into the break, and they will use this game as a way to send a message to the Kings that the defending Stanley Cup Champions are still the team to beat in the West. The best way to place a bet here is on the Golden Knights to win this game.
Kings Golden Knights Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Thursday, December 28, 2023 (10:00 pm ET start time) is VGK 5 Kings 3.
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NHL Betting Trends
Los Angeles Kings: 114-92 (+20.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 43-31 (+17.7 units) on the moneyline in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 10-4 UNDER in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 28-16 UNDER after 5 straight games with 30 or more shots on goal.
Vegas Golden Knights: 48-36 (-10.1 units) on the moneyline in a home game where the total is 6 or more. 7-4 UNDER vs. division opponents. 26-18 UNDER revenging a home loss versus an opponent of 2 goals or more.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Kings: P. Copley (G) Mid Jan - Lower Body. V. Gavrikov (D) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. V. Arvidsson (RW) Out indefinitely - Back.
Vegas Golden Knights: L. Thompson (G) Ques Wed - Upper Body. A. Hill (G) Early Jan - Lower Body. K. Korczak (D) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. S. Theodore (D) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. R. Lehner (G) Out indefinitely - Hip.
Notable Quotes
“This is going to sound strange, but win or lose, I want them to go and enjoy their families. They deserve that, they’ve earned the right. They’re human beings, they’ve got little ones that are going to know that Santa arrived, families in town and that is really important and we promote that, we want that. It’s a little easier to do with a win, but if we were standing here [after a loss], I’d still tell you the same thing. I want them to go enjoy their families. It’s important.” - Todd McLellan after his team’s win against the Flames in their game on Saturday.
“It’s probably a good time for the break. This wasn’t our best road trip by any means. We didn’t play enough 60-minute hockey in those three games, but we’ve been through adversity before and we've got to come out of the other side of the break rested and recovered.” - Mark Stone after their loss against the Panthers in their game on Saturday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
LW Byfield, Quinton
C Kopitar, Anze
RW Kempe, Adrian
LD Anderson, Michael
RD Doughty, Drew
G Talbot, Cam
Vegas Golden Knights
LW Barbashev, Ivan
C Eichel, Jack
RW Stone, Mark
LD Martinez, Alec
RD Pietrangelo, Alex
G Patera, Jiri
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Kings
Points: A. Kempe (31)
Goals: T. Moore (16)
Assists: K. Fiala (23)
GAA: D. Rittich (1.00)
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: J. Eichel (39)
Goals: J. Marchessault (17)
Assists: J. Eichel (24)
GAA: A. Hill (1.93)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Kings: Todd McLellan (5th season)
Vegas Golden Knights: Bruce Cassidy (2nd 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.
