Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Kings vs Penguins Odds
Looking for Pittsburgh Penguins vs. L.A. Kings free hockey plays? NHL betting sees the Penguins taking on the Kings on Thursday November 3rd at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
(6-2-1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. L.A. Kings (4-6-0)
Date: Thursday November 3rd
Time: 7:30 PM (PST)
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Pittsburgh -105
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: OFF
NHL Betting Total: OFF
Live NHL Odds
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The road has been tough for the LA Kings this season, as they’ve suffered a number of key injuries to important players and have paid dearly for those losses.
The Kings currently sit at 4-6 and have been shutout three games in a row heading into Thursday’s game.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has continued their success from a Stanley Cup Championship title a season ago and are currently in tied for 2nd in the Metro Division with a 6-2-1 record, sitting just one point back of the Division lead.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Crosby has had a great start to the season in his return from a concussion sustained in practice. In his three games, Crosby has registered five points four of which have been goals.
Crosby appears to be on a mission to make up for lost time and silence any doubters that Connor McDavid has taken over the title of the game’s best player.
Evgeni Malkin leads the team in points, as he regularly does when Crosby is out of the lineup. The fellow superstar forward has tallied 10 points in nine games and has averaged the most time on ice amongst any Pittsburgh forward, at 19:04.
The Penguins have balanced their scoring well with the acquisition of Phil Kessel, who has nine points on the season, and Patric Hornqvist, who has eight.
In addition, Connor Sheary is now a full-time player after joining the club from the minors in the midst of last season and performing admirably in the post-season, and Matt Cullen has returned for one more season to try to win another Cup and has chipped in seven points so far.
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Marc-Andre Fleury has played in even game this season, mainly because fellow net-minder, Matt Murray, is still out with an injury.
Fleury has performed to the tune of a .909 SV% and 3.09 GAA on the season, only relinquishing the crease for 20 minutes on the year to current backup, Mike Condon.
L.A. Kings
Injuries have really derailed the beginning of the 2016-17 season for the Kings, the most significant coming in net with the loss of Jonathan Quick for a reported three months to a groin injury.
Quick, the former Conn Smythe winner and Vezina finalist, is a workhorse star goaltender who’s loss is being realized, even more so now that backup Jeff Zatkoff is out as well.
The Kings have had to bring up both goalies who started the season in their AHL affiliate, Ontario, team and the results have not been pretty.
Peter Budaj allowed four goals on just 16 shots in Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to Anaheim, and was subsequently called out by coach Darryl Sutter.
Jack Campbell came into the game, a former top prospect who has yet to realize success in the NHL, and posted 20 minutes of shutout hockey.
The Kings may be forced to throw the 24-year old into the crease, despite his career 4.50 GAA and .885 SV%.
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The LA offense isn’t clicking right now either, as their leading scorer continues to be defenceman, Alec Martinez, and his seven points in 10 games.
He is outpacing the likes of star forwards, Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter, as well as 30-goal scorer from a season ago, Tyler Toffoli.
The offense clearly misses the balance that the injured Marian Gaborik provides, and will need more production for reigning Norris-winner, Drew Doughty.
NHL Hockey Handicapping Trends
- Pittsburgh has a goal differential of -2 on the year, and LA has differential of -10.
- In two head to head games last season, LA won the series 2-0 and had a total goal differential of 7-5.
Free Pittsburgh Penguins vs L.A. Kings NHL Hockey Prediction
Crosby has helped lead Pittsburgh to earning points in every game he’s played in so far this season.
Despite the Pens’ 1-2-0 record on the road, none of the those games had Crosby in the lineup and it should improve in this game with no Quick in net for LA.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Pittsburgh Moneyline
Not sure how the odds are dead even in this game with the way LA has performed lately and the fact that some of their top players are out of the lineup.
Pittsburgh will be coming into the second game of a back-to-back but I still expect them to beat the struggling Kings.
NHL Free Score Prediction: Pittsburgh 3 – LA 2
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