Nashville Predators vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction, 1/18/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Nashville Predators vs Los Angeles Kings

Date: Thursday, January 18, 2024

Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Predators (+130) Kings (-157)

The Nashville Predators (24-19-1) are on their way to Crypto.com Arena on Thursday where they will compete against the Los Angeles Kings (21-12-8). The line on this matchup has Nashville at +130 while Los Angeles is sitting at -157. The total is set at 7.

The Nashville Predators will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 4-1 loss against the Golden Knights their last time on the ice. Nashville accounted for 4 penalty minutes in this contest. The Predators had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the defeat. They also had 4 power play opportunities but weren't able to score. For the game, they scored on 1 of the 35 shots they attempted.

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In regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Nashville Predators have racked up 137 goals (14th in hockey) this year and have allowed 138. For the year, they sit with 49 points and their points percentage comes in at .557. Nashville has accounted for 151 power play opportunities and they have added 31 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 20.53%. At even strength, the Predators have surrendered 106 goals while scoring 106 on offense. Nashville has taken 1,354 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.1%. The Predators have had 1,329 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .896. Nashville Predators opponents have earned 140 power play tries (9th in professional hockey) and have a total of 32 goals in those chances.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Juuse Saros. The opposition has been able to score 800 goals against Saros in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.62. Saros has taken the ice for 320 contests over the course of his pro hockey career. His save percentage is at .917 for his 18,307 mins between the pipes. He has a win-loss mark of 164-111-28 and he has gotten the start in 303 games. For his career, Saros has accumulated 184 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .607. Saros has seen 9,691 shots taken against him and he has 8,891 saves.

In their last outing, Los Angeles squared up with the Stars in a game where the Kings took the loss by a mark of 5-1. They had 4 power play opportunities in this outing and scored 1 out of those opportunities. The Kings netted 1 goal out of the 32 shots on goal they tried.

This season, the Los Angeles Kings have notched a total of 134 goals, 50 points, and a points percentage of .610. They have granted a total of 105 goals to be scored by of a combination of 89 goals at even strength and 16 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Kings are sitting with 105 goals at even strength and 29 goals (15th in the league) while on the power play. They have recorded 137 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 21.17%. Los Angeles has taken 1,387 shots (9th in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 9.66%, while allowing the opposition 1,131 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 87.20% on their oppositions 125 chances on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 90.7%.

Across the ice you will find Cam Talbot patrolling the crease. He has a tally of 12,293 stops out of the 13,455 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .914. Talbot has compiled a career mark of 232-167-41 and has played in 462 games. He has made the start in 442 games and has played 26,440 minutes. Talbot's rate of quality starts comes out to 54.8% and he has accumulated 242 quality starts in his hockey career. His opponents are averaging 2.64 goals per game and he has relinquished 1,162 goals overall.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles (-157)

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