Los Angeles Kings vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 12/19/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Los Angeles Kings vs Washington Capitals

Date: Sunday, December 19, 2021

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: NBC Sports Washington

Ilya Samsonov and the Washington Capitals (17-5-7) host the Los Angeles Kings (13-10-5) at Capital One Arena on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Kings came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 4-1 victory against the Panthers in their previous contest. The Kings had a good offensive output in this win. For the game, they finished 4 out of the 31 shots they put on goal. They also had 2 power play chances but didn't convert them into a score. Los Angeles had 4 penalty minutes in this contest.

The Kings have had 856 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .917. At even strength, the Kings have allowed the opponent to score 54 goals while scoring 58 on the offensive side of the ice. Los Angeles Kings opponents have 73 power play tries (27th in pro hockey) and have a total of 17 goals in those chances. For the year, they have tallied 31 points and their points % is .554. Los Angeles has attempted 984 shots and holds a shot percentage of 7.6%. In relation to their scoring, the Los Angeles Kings have tallied 75 goals (24th in the NHL) so far this year and have given up 71. Los Angeles has tallied 91 power play chances and they have notched 17 goals during those advantages, earning them a percentage of 18.68%.

The man in goal for this game is Jonathan Quick. Throughout his time in hockey, Quick has accrued 366 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .544. His save percentage currently sits at .914 in his 39,866 mins on the ice. Quick has had 18,413 shots taken against him and has accrued 16,821 saves. Opponents have tallied 1,592 goals against Quick in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 2.40. He has accumulated an overall mark of 344-254-73 and he has gotten the start in 673 games. Quick has participated in 683 games throughout his NHL career.

When they took the ice last, Washington played the Blackhawks in a matchup where the Capitals took a loss by a tally of 5-4. The Capitals earned 4 goals of the 46 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 3 power play opportunities in this game and netted 1 goal out of those opportunities.

So far this season, the Washington Capitals have earned 99 goals, 41 points, in addition to a points percentage of .707. They have allowed 75 goals to be scored by of a combination of 61 goals at even strength and 14 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Capitals have accumulated 85 goals at even strength and 14 goals (20th in the league) while on the power play. They have recorded 82 chances on the power play and they have a power play percentage of 17.07%. Washington has attempted 920 shots (14th in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.76%, while allowing their opponents 823 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 80.56% on their opponents 72 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 90.9%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Ilya Samsonov protecting the goal. The opposition is averaging 2.62 goals/game and he has allowed 149 goals overall. Samsonov's quality start rate is 46.3% and he has 25 quality starting assignments in his career. He has been a starter 54 contests and has been on the ice for 3,413 mins. Samsonov has a career mark of 40-12-5 and has played in 61 contests. He has a tally of 1,481 saves out of 1,630 shots taken against him, which gives him a save % of .909.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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