The LA Kings (9-5-3) take on the Colorado Avalanche (8-8-0) Wednesday. Puck drop from Ball Arena is set for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Kings vs. Avalanche odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Avs won 2-1 last year
The Kings dropped the first game of their road trip 3-1 in Calgary Monday. It was just a situation where Calgary 23-year-old goalie Dustin Wolf was simply unbeatable. C Anze Kopitar — surprise, surprise — leads the team with 18 points on 5 goals and 13 assists.
After a horrid start, the Avs are starting to round into form, winners of 2 straight against forecasted playoff teams. They beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 in OT Monday night. RW Mikko Rantanen netted his 9th goal of the season in the win.
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Kings at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 2:24 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kings +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Avalanche -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kings +1.5 (-210) | Avalanche -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Kings at Avalanche projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (4-2-3, 2.65 GAA, .903 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (3-5-0, 3.76 GAA, .863 SV%)
The Kings could go with David Rittich here, but I expect Kuemper to face his former team. Kuemper has been solid in his 4 starts this month at 1-2-1 with a 2.00 GAA and .919 SV%. He was between the pipes in the loss to Calgary Monday, stopping 25 of 27. He didn’t face his former team while with the Washington Capitals last year. He was 0-2-0 with a 3.58 GAA and .873 SV% against them 2 years ago.
Georgiev was solid in his last 3 starts after a disastrous start to the year. He’s 2-1-0 with a 2.33 GAA and .922 SV% in his last 3 against Winnipeg, Carolina and Nashville. He was 2-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .940 SV% in 3 starts against the Kings last year.
Kings at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 4, Avalanche 3
Moneyline
We just touched on how much better Georgiev is playing. However, I am throwing that straight out the window because I don’t trust him. It’s telling to me that Colorado is -140 on the ML and +170 on the PL. The books are luring you into a trap. Don’t do it.
The Kings won 2 of the last 3 in this building, and they play a heavy style that will wear you down. Now, they aren’t the same with RD Drew Doughty (ankle) out, but for my money, I’m taking the team that has shown better all season over a talented team with a dumpster fire in goal at times.
Take the KINGS +120.
Puck line/Against the spread
I am taking KEVIN FIALA OVER 2.5 SHOTS (-135) here. Last year against Colorado, he had 4, 3 and 5 SOG. He’ll be ready.
Over/Under
The Under has hit in the last 2 meetings, but the Over cashed in the 5 before that. The Over is 4-2-1 in LA’s last 7. It’s 6-2 in Colorado’s last 8.
Colorado will score, but it’s going to be the Kings wearing them down to get the 4 goals needed to cash the OVER 6 (-120).
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