Columbus Blue Jackets vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction, 3/16/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Los Angeles Kings

Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023

Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Bally Sports West

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+240) Kings (-300)

Crypto.com Arena is the location where the Los Angeles Kings (39-20-9) will go up against the Columbus Blue Jackets (21-38-7) on Thursday. The line on this matchup has the Blue Jackets at +240 and the Kings are priced at -300. The total is set at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 6-5 win against the Sharks in their previous contest . Columbus garnered 6 penalty mins in this game. The Blue Jackets had a impressive offensive outing in the victory. They also had 3 power play tries but didn't get a goal. For the game, they scored on 6 of the 48 shots they tried.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have 199 power play opportunities (20th in hockey) and have a total of 47 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets have seen 2,315 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .893. Columbus has taken 1,943 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 9.0%. While at even strength, the Blue Jackets have surrendered 201 goals while notching 143 on offense. Columbus has accounted for 175 power play opportunities and they have added 31 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 17.71%. For the current campaign, they have earned 49 points and their points percentage is .371. When discussing their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched 174 goals (29th in pro hockey) over the course of the season and have allowed 248.

The player in the crease for this game is Michael Hutchinson. Hutchinson has taken the ice for 140 games during his NHL career. He has an overall mark of 55-56-16 and he has gotten the start in 117 games. Opponents have been able to score 348 goals versus Hutchinson in his career and his goals against average is 2.82. Hutchinson has had 3,654 shot attempts taken against him and he has 3,306 total saves. His save percentage currently is at .905 during his 7,396 mins on the ice. In his professional hockey career, Hutchinson has tallied 52 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .444.

Their last time out, Los Angeles faced the Islanders in a matchup where the Kings got the win by a score of 5-2. The Kings tallied 5 goals of the 37 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 2 attempts on the power play in this one and earned 2 out of those opportunities.

The Kings are sitting with 171 goals at even strength and 56 goals (4th in professional hockey) while having a power play advantage. Los Angeles has tried 2,205 shots (9th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.29%, while allowing their opponents 1,919 shots. On the year, the Los Angeles Kings have a total of 227 goals, 87 points, as well as a points percentage of .640. They have allowed 221 goals to be scored by way of 166 goals at even strength and 55 goals while they were shorthanded. They have recorded 228 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 24.56%. They have a penalty kill rate of 75.98% on the other teams 229 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.5%.

For the opposition you will find Pheonix Copley in net. He has gathered 1,465 stops out of the 1,626 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .901. Copley has accrued a career record of 36-13-6 and has played in 61 games. He has started in 55 contests and his ice time sits at 3,404 minutes. Copley's quality start rate comes in at 56.4% and he has qualified for 31 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. Opponents are averaging 2.84 goals per contest and he has relinquished 161 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles (-300)

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