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Odds Are Penguins Handle Road-Weary Kings
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the favorite in the NHL lines as they play host to the improving Los Angeles Kings on Sunday night to begin a critical four-game homestand.
The Penguins put a halt to a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory at Chicago on Thursday, but sit seven points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and are 25th in the league in scoring.
Pittsburgh has games in hand, though, and faces teams ahead of them on the homestand – the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers. Captain Sidney Crosby had two goals for the Penguins on Thursday and 13 points in his last 12 games.
The Kings are 3-1 since Jim Hiller replaced Todd McLellan as head coach and rallied for a stunning 5-4 overtime win at Boston on Saturday. Los Angeles holds down a wild-card spot in the Western Conference despite earning two wins during a recent stretch of 16 games.
BRANDT CLARKE. GAME-WINNING GOAL. FIRST NHL GOAL. 👑
Can you name a better way to record your first career goal than an @Energizer overtime winner on a breakaway? pic.twitter.com/wgnF3dw2uv
— NHL (@NHL) February 17, 2024
Kings vs Penguins Game Information
1. Game: Kings (26-16-10) vs Penguins (24-20-7)
2. Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh. Pa.
3. Day/Time: Sunday, Feb. 18, 6 p.m. ET
4. Kings vs Penguins Live Stream: NHL.com
The Penguins are a slight favorite in the NHL odds on Sunday as they return home to take on the Kings. Crosby and defenseman Erik Karlsson each had two points in a 4-3 overtime win at Los Angeles on Nov. 9. The Kings started the season 11-0-0 on the road and are 6-7-4 since while the Penguins are a mediocre 13-9-3 at home.
Kings vs Penguins Spreads and Odds
Kings vs Penguins Betting Trends
1. Under bettors are 6-1 in the last seven Pittsburgh games and 31-17-3 on the season at the sportsbook.
2. The Kings have lost their last four games without a day of rest.
3. Penguins forward Bryan Rust has goals in three straight games and four in the past five.
4. Los Angeles is 1-4 in its past five games played on Sunday.
5. The under is 4-0 in Pittsburgh’s last four games against Western Conference foes.
6. Kings forward Quinton Byfield boasts five goals and five assists in his last eight outings.
7. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has just one point in his last five games, but owns 20 in 21 career contests versus Los Angeles.
8. The under is 10-2 in the Kings’ last 12 games as an underdog if you bet online.
Kings vs Penguins Over/Under Pick: Over 6 (-110)
The teams are both in the top six of the league in goals against. But we think the game will open up with both franchises feeling good after big wins.
Kings vs Penguins Pick ATS: Kings +1½ (-240)
Pittsburgh has not been particularly dependable this season, so our NHL ATS pick is predicting a one-goal contest.
Kings vs Penguins Moneyline Pick: Penguins (-130)
Crosby can still carry a team for a while and Malkin is certainly due to step up. Cam Talbot is likely to get the call in net for the Kings as well and he is 0-7-3 in his last 10 decisions.
Kings vs Penguins Player Prop: Adrian Kempe 1+ goals (+200)
Kempe’s production has slowed of late, but he leads the team with 45 points and had a goal versus Pittsburgh in November.
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Kings vs Penguins Prediction
Penguins 4, Kings 3: Look for Pittsburgh to build a lead, the Kings to fight back and the Penguins to hold on in the third period. It won’t help that Pittsburgh’s second-leading scorer Jake Guentzel (upper body) will miss his second straight game, but the Penguins should prevail.
Questions of the Day
Which team is most likely to score a power-play goal first?
Los Angeles. Despite all that talent, the Penguins are 30th in the league at 13.5% while the Kings lead the NHL in penalty killing (86.7%).
Will Pittsburgh defenseman Erik Karlsson register at least a point?
Yes. Karlsson had two assists in the first meeting this season and has 31 points in 34 career games versus the Kings.
