The Washington Capitals (20-4-5) continue their California road trip Wednesday with a stop at Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Kings (11-15-2). Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 10 p.m. ET. We analyze the Capitals-Kings sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Capitals at Kings: Projected starting goalies
Ilya Samsonov vs. Jonathan Quick
Samsonov should draw in Wednesday after Braden Holtby started Tuesday in the win over the San Jose Sharks. The backup has a .914 save percentage and 2.58 goals against average over eight starts and one relief appearance.
Quick is coming off a loss against the Sharks Friday in which he stopped 18 of 22 shots on goal. He has a .882 SV% and 3.36 GAA with a 7-10-1 record through 18 starts.
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Capitals at Kings: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated 9:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Capitals 3, Kings 1
Moneyline (ML)
The CAPITALS (-143) picked up their fourth straight win Tuesday with the 5-2 victory over the Sharks. They share top spot in the NHL with the Boston Bruins and are 7-2-1 over their last 10 games. They’re a league-best 12-2-1 straight up on the road. The Kings (+120) are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks Monday and are 5-4-1 across their last 10 outings. They’re 9-5-1 on home ice but only two teams have a worse goal differential on the year than LA’s minus-21.
Back the visitors as they look to clinch a winning record for their four-game road trip. Samsonov has been among the top backups in the NHL this year and goal support has helped his cause.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Double down on the CAPITALS (-1.5, +185). Each of Washington’s last two victories was by a 5-2 count. The Caps are 17-12 against the spread overall and 12-3 on the road. The Kings are 12-16 ATS overall and 8-7 at home, but each of their last two losses were by two or more goals.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Capitals to win by at least two goals returns a profit of $18.50 vs. a $7 profit for the outright victory on the moneyline.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 5.5 (+125). The Caps went 6-4 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games with the Kings going 3-6-1. The Capitals rank second in the NHL with 3.66 goals for per game but the back-to-back will slow them down. The Kings rank 26th with just 2.57 goals for per game.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 101-85
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