Chicago Blackhawks vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction, 4/18/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Los Angeles Kings

Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024

Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Bally Sports West

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+275) Kings (-360)

The Los Angeles Kings (43-27-11) are hosting the Chicago Blackhawks (23-53-5) at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday. The odds on this game have the Blackhawks at +275 while the Kings are sitting at -360. The over/under comes in at 7.

The Chicago Blackhawks had a rough game after their 3-1 defeat against the Golden Knights their last time on the ice. Chicago earned 2 penalty minutes in this matchup. The Blackhawks had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the loss. They also had 1 power play opportunity but didn't convert it into a score. For the outing, they earned a goal on 1 of the 23 shots they put on goal.

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While playing at even strength, the Blackhawks have conceded 230 goals while getting 136 on offense. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have tallied 227 power play tries (27th in the NHL) and have scored 54 goals in those attempts. Concerning their scoring capabilities, the Chicago Blackhawks have racked up 174 goals (32nd in pro hockey) this season and have given up 284. Chicago has taken 2,140 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 8.1%. For the year, they have recorded 51 points and their points % is .315. The Blackhawks have had 2,646 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .893. Chicago comes into the game with 234 power play chances and they have scored 38 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 16.24%.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Petr Mrazek. Mrazek has been involved in 390 games over the course of his NHL career. He has earned a win-loss record of 168-155-38 and was named the starter in 359 games. The opposition has been able to score 1,018 goals versus Mrazek in his pro career and his goals against average per contest is 2.80. Mrazek has had 10,972 shots taken against him and has accrued 9,954 total saves. His save percentage currently sits at .907 for his 21,808 mins played. In his career, Mrazek has 184 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .513.

Their last time out, Los Angeles faced off against the Wild in an outing where the Kings ended up losing by a score of 3-1. They had 4 power play chances in this contest but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Kings notched 1 goal of the 24 shots on goal they were seeking.

Los Angeles has attempted 2,581 shots (11th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 9.65%, while allowing the other team 2,283 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 84.92% on their opponents 252 tries on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 91.0%. They have a total of 244 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 22.13%. The Kings are sitting with 195 goals at even strength and 54 goals (15th in hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 206 goals to be scored by of a combination of 168 goals at even strength and 38 goals while they were shorthanded. For the season, the Los Angeles Kings have earned a total of 249 goals, 97 points, in addition to a points percentage of .599.

Across the rink you are going to see Cam Talbot in net. Talbot is the owner of a career record of 244-176-42 and has played in 485 games. Talbot's quality start percentage comes out to 55.2% and he has earned 256 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has gathered 12,868 saves out of the 14,084 shots attempted against him, which gives him a rate of .914. The opposition is averaging 2.63 goals/game and he has allowed 1,216 goals altogether. He has been a starter 464 games and has played 27,723 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles (-360)

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