LA Kings at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s LA Kings at Vancouver Canucks odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The LA Kings (24-12-5) and the Vancouver Canucks (19-14-10) meet Thursday at Rogers Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Kings vs. Canucks odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: Canucks lead 1-0; Vancouver won 4-2 in L.A. on Nov. 7 as a road favorite (-130) as the Over (5.5) cashed

The Kings have struggled to light the lamp in the few games. L.A. was blanked 1-0 against the Edmonton Oilers Monday, and it has managed just 8 total goals in the past 5 games, or 1.6 goals per game (GPG). The Under has cashed in all 5 of those contests.

The Canucks lost 6-1 on the road against the Winnipeg Jets last time out Tuesday. Like the Kings, Vancouver has had issues scoring, going for just 5 total goals in the past 4 games, or 1.25 GPG. Vancouver has been shut out twice in the previous 6 outings, too. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games.

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Kings at Canucks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:31 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Kings -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Canucks -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
  • Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kings -1.5 (+220) | Canucks +1.5 (-275)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +110 | U: -130)

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Kings at Canucks projected goalies

Darcy Kuemper (12-3-5, 2.11 GAA, .923 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Thatcher Demko (2-2-3, 3.17 GAA, .883 SV%)

Kuemper was the hard-luck loser in a 1-0 loss on the road against the Oilers. He has allowed just 3 total goals in 4 starts in January, going 3-1-0 with a 0.75 GAA and .974 SV% with a shutout. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 18 straight starts since coughing up 8 goals in a wild OT loss in Ottawa on Oct. 14.

Demko allowed just 2 goals on 20 shots last time out last Friday in Carolina, but he was on the ugly end of a 2-0 score thanks to a lack of offensive support. The loss to the Hurricanes was his first full start of January, as he left his previous outing Jan. 2 due to a bout with back spasms.

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Kings at Canucks picks and predictions

Prediction

Canucks 3, Kings 2

Moneyline

The CANUCKS (-105) are worth a look as short ‘dogs at home. Both Vancouver and the Kings (-115) are risky plays due to their lack of offense recently.

Vancouver is just 1-3-2 in the past 6 games, but at home, the Canucks are a respectable 3-2-2 in the past 7 outings at Rogers.

L.A. can’t be blamed if it is a little distracted, perhaps due to the terrible wildfires situation at home, although the defense and goaltenders have certainly been coming up big. The offense is just unable to get the job done lately.

Puck line/Against the spread

The Canucks +1.5 (-275) will cost you nearly 3 times your potential return, and that’s way too expensive. Even if you were to fold this into a multi-leg parlay, there is too much risk.

AVOID, and if you like Vancouver, just play it straight up on the moneyline.

Over/Under

UNDER 5.5 (-130) is worth a look, as both teams have struggled to score, yet each has had some solid defense and goaltending. It’s a great recipe for Under results.

L.A. has scored just 8 total goals in the past 5 games, or 1.6 GPG, while allowing just 1.0 GPG in the span.

Vancouver is averaging just 1.3 GPG of offense in the past 4 tries, while allowing 2 or fewer goals in 3 of the past 4 outings.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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