The Chicago Blackhawks (23-53-5) and LA Kings (43-27-11) tussle in a Thursday night affair at Crypto.com Arena. The opening faceoff will be at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blackhawks vs. Kings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Blackhawks and Kings are meeting for the 3rd time in 5 weeks. LA took the 1st 2 games handily, winning 5-0 (March 15) and 6-2 (March 19).
Chicago is closing out its season with the 2nd of 2 games out West. The ‘Hawks lost 3-1 at the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday and are 0-5-0 across their last 5 games.
The Kings fell to the Minnesota Wild 3-1 Monday and enter Thursday’s tilt 1 point behind Vegas for the Pacific No. 3 slot.
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Blackhawks at Kings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:25 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Blackhawks +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Kings -375 (bet $375 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (+110) | Kings -1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Blackhawks at Kings projected goalies
Petr Mrazek (18-31-4, 3.05 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Cam Talbot (26-20-6, 2.47 GAA, .915 SV%, 3 SO)
Mrazek started Tuesday’s game and was saddled with a loss despite stopping 34 of 36 shots. The 32-year-old looks to be finishing the season in style: he’s logged a .931 SV% over his last 7 games.
Talbot started Monday’s Game and allowed 3 goals on 28 shots. The veteran netminder surged in February and March but has come back down to earth with a .909 SV% in April.
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Blackhawks at Kings picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 5, Blackhawks 2
Moneyline
This game means a great deal more to the Kings (-375), who have gone 6-1-0 across the last 7 games of this series. Los Angeles is the play, but it’s one better leveraged on the puck line.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Kings are 4-1-0 on 3 days of rest, averaging 3.8 goals per game while allowing just 1.4. They are coming off a home setback but are a robust 8-1-0 across their last 9 at Crypto.com Arena. Seven of those wins were by multiple goals. And the last time LA lost by multiple goals at home (4-1 to the Dallas Stars March 9), the Kings bounced back with a 3-0 triumph next time out.
Chicago was wiped out in the previous 2 games against this Los Angeles club and has faltered in 6 of its last 7 at LA. All 5 losses in the Hawks’ current losing streak have been by multiple goals.
BACK THE KINGS -1.5 (-135).
Over/Under
Both sides have some recent expected-goals allowed numbers that would indicate scoring has been depressed a bit. The LA power play has been solid of late (24.1% since March 30) and has been getting frequent chances.
TAKE THE OVER 6 (-110).
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