Los Angeles Kings vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 12/5/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Los Angeles Kings vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Kings (-190) Blue Jackets (+155)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (8-14-4) will compete against the Los Angeles Kings (14-4-3) at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday. The moneyline on this game has Los Angeles at -190 and Columbus is priced at +155. The total is 7.

The Los Angeles Kings had a good night with a 4-1 win over the Avalanche in their previous outing. Los Angeles tallied 4 mins in the box in this contest. The Kings had a solid offensive performance and it showed in the victory. In addition, they had 1 chance with the advantage but weren't able to score a goal. In the game, they finished 4 of the 38 shots they put on net.

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In terms of their scoring, the Los Angeles Kings have notched 81 goals (5th in the National Hockey League) for the year and have given up 48. For the season, the have a total of 31 points and their points percentage is sitting at .738. Los Angeles has accumulated 76 power play opportunities and they have scored 15 goals out of those tries, giving them a percentage of 19.74%. When playing at even strength, the Kings have allowed the opponent to score 41 goals while earning 66 on the offensive side of the ice. Los Angeles has tried 687 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.8%. The Kings have had 562 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .915. Los Angeles Kings opponents have tallied 68 power play opportunities (29th in the NHL) and have tallied 7 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Cam Talbot. Talbot has played in 448 games throughout his professional hockey career. He has earned a mark of 229-160-37 and he was named the starter in 428 games. The opposition has notched 1,121 goals versus Talbot in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.63. Talbot has had 13,047 shot attempts taken against him and he has 11,926 saves. His save percentage currently sits at .914 during his 25,616 mins guarding the cage. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Talbot has compiled 234 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .547.

When they were on the ice last, Columbus faced off against the Bruins in a matchup where the Blue Jackets went home in defeat by a final score of 3-1. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this outing but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Blue Jackets notched 1 goal of the 25 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Blue Jackets have 64 goals at even strength and 10 goals (28th in hockey) while on the power play. Columbus has taken 779 shots (5th in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.50%, while allowing the opposition 874 shots. On the year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 74 goals, 20 points, and a points percentage of .385. They have allowed 87 goals to be scored by of a combination of 77 goals at even strength and 10 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 79 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 12.66%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 86.84% on their opponents 76 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is currently 90.0%.

For the opposition you will find Elvis Merzlikins in goal. Merzlikins has amassed a career mark of 61-70-25 and has been in net for 168 games. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts comes out to 49.0% and he has made 76 quality starts in his hockey career. He has a tally of 4,644 saves out of the 5,123 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .907. The opposition is averaging 3.12 goals per game and he has allowed 479 goals altogether. He has started in 155 games and has been on the ice for 9,198 mins.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+155)

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