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2013-14 NHL Team Preview: L.A. Kings Predictions – Odds

Bet On NHL Hockey: Kings

Another NHL season is just around the corner – training camps are in full swing and it is time to start thinking about the teams that should emerge as contenders for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

CLICK TO GRAB OUR BEST Expert NHL Picks for 2013 HOCKEY Betting!

Odds to Win Stanley Cup: 12/1
Odds to Win Western Conference: 6/1
Odds to Win Pacific Division: 8/5

The Los Angeles Kings are at the top of the list when it comes to the elite teams heading into the 2013-2014 season. They will be out to avenge a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs and to return to the form that saw them win a Cup two seasons ago.

The Kings enter the upcoming season as one of the most complete teams in the NHL. The goaltending is top tier, the defense is stout and the forwards a big, fast, physical and as talented a group as there is in the game.

At forward you will be hard pressed to find a deeper group. Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, Justin Williams, Kyle Clifford, Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, Trevor Lewis and Jordan Nolan and Daniel Carcillo are perhaps the most powerful forward unit in the NHL and they have offensive talent to spare. They will strike the fear of God in opposing defenses this year and will surely bring the physicality.

Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin, and Slava Voynov, Robyn Regehr, Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene are plain scary on defense and promise to punish their opposition all season long as well. [ad-4437448]

Jonathan Quick started slowly last year after offseason surgery last year but enters this season healthy and ready to assume his position at the top of the ladder when it comes to NHL goaltenders. Despite a “down season” he still posted an 18-13-4 record with a 2.45 goals-against average in 37 regular season games. In the playoffs when he worked the kinks out Quick posted a 1.86 GAA. With Quick between the pipes and a stellar defensive corp. in front of him, it is hard to imagine the Kings not being among the best defensive clubs in the game. If defense wins championships, the Kings absolutely have to be in the conversation.

Betting Prediction: We have seen the last few years that physicality is a key factor for those wishing to go deep in the playoffs and the Kings certainly have that. Add in the goaltending of perhaps the best keeper in the league Jonathan Quick and the Kings, on paper look like the team to beat in the Pacific Division. And once in the playoffs you have to like their chances of going deep into June. Their roster is built to sustain the grind that is a full NHL season.

The Kings will have to get past the Canucks, the Sharks and the sure-to-be-improved Edmonton Oilers to win their own division this year but this roster has the talent and the depth to withstand anything that a full season throws their way.

The Kings win the Pacific, are a very good bet to win the Western Conference and at 12/1 they are decent value to win the Cup again this year as well. Size, speed, and playoff experience will definitely help in a marathon season this year.

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.