Vancouver Canucks vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction, 3/18/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vancouver Canucks vs Los Angeles Kings

Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023

Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Bally Sports West

Odds/Point Spread: Canucks (+188) Kings (-225)

The Los Angeles Kings (40-20-9) are welcoming the Vancouver Canucks (29-33-5) at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. The moneyline on this contest has Vancouver at +188 and Los Angeles is at -225. The total is set at 7.

The Vancouver Canucks were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 3-2 loss against the Coyotes in their previous contest . Vancouver had 6 mins in the box in this matchup. The Canucks had a below average offensive performance in the defeat. Additionally, they had 5 chances on the power play but didn't get a goal. In the game, they earned a goal on 2 of the 31 shots they launched.

Get all of our NHL Betting Picks

Pertaining to scoring goals, the Vancouver Canucks have notched 224 goals (11th in the league) over the course of the season and have surrendered 253. For the season, they have tallied 63 points and their points percentage is .470. Vancouver comes into the game with 225 power play opportunities and they have notched 50 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 22.22%. At even strength, the Canucks have conceded 190 goals while getting 174 themselves. Vancouver has tried 2,029 shots and has a shot percentage of 11.0%. The Canucks have seen 2,074 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .878. Vancouver Canucks opponents have 198 power play tries (23rd in the NHL) and have a total of 63 goals in those attempts.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Thatcher Demko. Demko has played in 158 contests over the course of his pro hockey career. He has a mark of 75-65-13 and he has started in 152 games. The opposition has notched 446 goals versus Demko in his professional career and his goals against average is 2.91. Demko has had 4,957 shot attempts against him and he has 4,511 saves. His save percentage currently is at .910 for his 9,184 minutes in the crease. Over the course of his career, Demko has accounted for 83 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .546.

Their last time out, Los Angeles went up against the Blue Jackets in a game where the Kings earned a victory by a score of 4-1. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this matchup but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Kings converted 4 goals of the 36 shots on goal they tried.

The Kings have earned 175 goals at even strength and 56 goals (4th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. Los Angeles has attempted 2,241 shots (8th in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.31%, while allowing their opponents 1,949 shots. On the season, the Los Angeles Kings have earned a total of 231 goals, 89 points, in addition to a points percentage of .645. They have allowed 222 goals to be scored by of a combination of 167 goals at even strength and 55 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 231 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 24.24%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 76.19% on the other teams 231 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 88.6%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Joonas Korpisalo patrolling the crease. He has a tally of 5,568 stops out of the 6,163 shots attempted against him, which gives him a percentage of .903. Korpisalo has a lifetime record of 90-78-24 and has played in 213 games. He has made the start in 193 games and has played for a total of 11,736 minutes. Korpisalo's quality start rate comes out to 49.2% and he has accumulated 95 quality starts in his professional career. His opponents are averaging 3.04 goals per game and he has given up 595 goals overall.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Vancouver (+188)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here