Golden Knights vs. Kings Prediction
After controlling their home ice the last two games, the Las Vegas Golden Knights will attempt to continue their winning ways as the Kings host Game 3 in Los Angeles tonight. Can the visitors take care of business and take a 3-0 series lead?
Game Snapshot
25 Las Vegas Golden Knights at 26 Los Angeles Kings
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Staples Center at 10:30PM ET
TV: NBCSN
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Kings are a -145 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Golden Knights are a +125 underdog, while the total is set at 5 goals. As of Sunday afternoon, 56 percent of public bets are on host Los Angeles. Check our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Kings’ offense in struggle mode
In two games at Las Vegas, there was nothing wrong at all with the Los Angeles defense and goaltending as it surrendered a total of three goals. The problem is the Kings have only mustered one measly goal of their own and it has led to two losses. Games against the Golden Knights are usually going to be low-scoring considering two top-notch defenses are going at it, but LA must figure out a way to put a few past Marc-Andre Fleury if it is to get back in this series. The lone Kings goal in Game 2 was scored by defenseman Paul LaDue of all players, his first career playoff goal. Goal scorers like Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown must show up in Game 3 or any of the other proven goal scorers on the team because there will be no climbing out of a 3-0 series deficit.
Fleury in great form
As the most marquee name the Golden Knights selected in the expansion draft last year, the former Penguins netminder Fleury was going to be the leader of Las Vegas this season. And most people expected him to struggle, not necessarily because of his talent but instead because of a lack of help in front of him. Instead, everything has fallen in place beautifully for Fleury and his squad. He’s playing some of the best hockey of his life and he is also receiving plenty of support from an outstanding group of defensemen in front of him. He has stopped 59 of 60 shots in two playoff games and is showing no signs of slowing down. He was 29-13-4 during the regular season with a 2.24 GAA and a .927 save percentage. Both the goals-against average and save percentage are the best marks of his career.
NHL Betting Trends
Las Vegas
The under is 4-0 in the last four Golden Knights road games versus a team with a winning home record. Las Vegas is 5-0 in its last five games against a team with a winning record. The under is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
Los Angeles
The under is 7-0 in the last seven Kings home games versus a team with a winning road record. The under is 4-0 in the last four Los Angeles games against a team with a winning percentage of .600 or better. Los Angeles is 0-4 in its last four conference quarterfinals games.
Prediction:
The Kings have been right there this series, just like it was during the regular season in a couple of the losses when it went 1-3 against Las Vegas. Back on its home ice, I believe LA finds a way to manufacture those couple extra plays and comes away with a win to make this series interesting.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES KINGS -145