by Rod Pearson
Friday, Apr 05, 2024
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Saturday, April 6, 2024
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Canucks +105, Kings -125; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Canucks +105, Kings -125; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Canucks +105, Kings -125; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Season Record
Vancouver Canucks: 47-21-8 (1st place, Pacific Division)
Los Angeles Kings: 40-25-11 (4th place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Vancouver Canucks: 5-4-1 last 10
Los Angeles Kings: 6-4-0 last 10
Vancouver Canucks vs Los Angeles Kings Preview and Analysis
The Canucks are entering this game with 102 points, a 47-21-8 record overall, and they are 22-12-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Arizona Coyotes in their last game, winning that one on the road 2-1. Quinn Hughes and Conor Garland each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, J. T. Miller, and Elias Pettersson each led the team in assists with 1 while Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser, and Nils Höglander each led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Arturs Silovs was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 21 shots with 20 saves and a .952 save percentage. Their offense has scored 260 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 204 goals against them allowing 2.7 goals per game.
The Kings are entering this game with 91 points, a 40-25-11 record overall, and they are 18-11-7 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the San Jose Sharks in their last game, winning that one on the road 2-1. Adrian Kempe and Akil Thomas each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jordan Spence each led the team in assists with 1 while Adrian Kempe, Viktor Arvidsson, and Trevor Lewis each led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. David Rittich was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 16 shots with 15 saves and a .938 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 236 goals this season averaging 3.1 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 200 goals against them allowing 2.6 goals per game.
Canucks vs Kings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Kings listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Kings have looked good in their games this season with their 40-25-11 record overall which has them in 4th place of their division in the West right now and in a Wild Card spot. They haven't looked great on home ice this year but they haven't been bad either with their 18-11-7 road record. Meanwhile, the Canucks have looked good in their games this season with their 47-21-8 record overall which has them leading their division in the West with one of the best records in the entire NHL. They have looked really good in their road games too with their 22-12-4 road record, but they have also clinched a spot in the playoffs already and they have a big lead over the teams below them in the standings. The Kings need these wins since they haven't clinched a playoff spot yet, but they are also fighting to get out of the Wild Card and into a Divisional playoff spot. The Kings have been the hotter team coming into this one with their 6-4-0 record in their last 10 games while the Canucks are only 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. The Kings also have a little more momentum since the Canucks are coming off a win while the Kings have won 2 games in a row now. The Kings haven't been at their best on home ice this season but these are games they need to win and they have more momentum on their side right now. The best way to place a bet here is on the Kings to win this game.
Canucks Kings Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Saturday, April 6, 2024 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Kings 3 Canucks 1.
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NHL Betting Trends
Vancouver Canucks: 47-29 (+10 units) on the moneyline in all games. 19-9 (+9.7 units) on the moneyline after playing a game where 3 or fewer total goals were scored. 11-5 UNDER when playing with 2 days rest. 17-10 UNDER off a road win by 1 goal.
Los Angeles Kings: 39-36 (-10 units) on the moneyline in all games. 11-11 (-6.4 units) on the moneyline after allowing 1 goal or less in their previous game. 27-16 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive unders. 15-6 UNDER after a 2 game unbeaten streak.
Key Injuries
Vancouver Canucks: E. Lindholm (C) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. T. Demko (G) Mid April - Lower Body. T. Poolman (D) out for season - Migraine.
Los Angeles Kings: P. Danault (LW) Ques Sat - Upper Body. C. Grundstrom (RW) Mid April - Lower Body. A. Turcotte (C) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. P. Copley (G) out for season - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“I thought we defended really well. It was a grinding type of game. We managed the puck really well. To keep them off the sheet, it's tough." - Rick Tocchet after his team’s win against the Coyotes in their game on Wednesday.
“In the end, all anybody cares about tomorrow is, did you get the two points or didn’t you? So we’ll take the two points. We’ll leave this one behind. We’ll have a rest tomorrow and then we’ll work on the next two points.” - Jim Hiller after his team’s win against the Sharks in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Vancouver Canucks
LW Höglander, Nils
C Pettersson, Elias
RW Boeser, Brock
LD Hughes, Quinn
RD Hronek, Filip
G DeSmith, Casey
Los Angeles Kings
LW Byfield, Quinton
C Kopitar, Anze
RW Kempe, Adrian
LD Anderson, Michael
RD Doughty, Drew
G Rittich, David
Statistical Leaders
Vancouver Canucks
Points: J. Miller (96)
Goals: B. Boeser (38)
Assists: Q. Hughes (70)
GAA: A. Silovs (1.50)
Los Angeles Kings
Points: K. Fiala (68)
Goals: T. Moore (29)
Assists: A. Kempe (43)
GAA: D. Rittich (2.21)
Coaches:
Vancouver Canucks: Rick Tocchet (2nd season)
Los Angeles Kings: Jim Hiller (Interim)
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.
