The Washington Capitals (31-27-6) wrap up a 4-game road trip Monday against the Los Angeles Kings (36-20-8). Puck drop at Crypto.com Arena is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Kings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Capitals destroyed the San Jose Sharks 8-3 Saturday, cashing the Over (6.5) by themselves. Washington’s offense has been rejuvenated lately, going for 21 goals over the past 4 outings after managing just 12 goals in a 7-game stretch from Feb. 11-23.
The Kings enter on a 3-game win streak, although 2 of the outings are 1-goal games. Four of the past 5 victories for Los Angeles have been by just a single goal — with two actually coming in the shootout.
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Capitals at Kings odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Kings -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-180) | Kings -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Capitals at Kings projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (19-19-4, 2.77 GAA, .910 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Joonas Korpisalo (12-11-3, 3.13 GAA, .913 SV%)
Kuemper turned aside 38 of 41 shots in Saturday’s victory in San Jose, and he is 2-0-0 with a 2.48 GAA and .922 SV% in 2 starts in March. He allowed 3 goals on 26 shots in a 4-3 win against the Kings on Oct. 22.
Korpisalo allowed 2 goals on 26 shots in his Kings debut against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday after he was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday ahead of the trade deadline.
Korpisalo faced the Capitals as a member of the Blue Jackets on Jan. 31, allowing 4 goals on 34 shots in a 4-3 OT loss in Columbus.
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Capitals at Kings picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 4, Capitals 3
Moneyline
The KINGS (-160) are moderate favorites and are a solid play.
L.A. has won 5 straight at home, and 4 of the past 5 games overall. The Kings are also 8-3 in the past 11 games when playing on a single day of rest.
Washington is still just 3-7 in the past 10 games against teams with a winning record and is 1-4 in the past 5 on a single day of rest. The Caps have also won just 3 times in the past 11 trips to Los Angeles, with the underdog just 2-6 in the past 8 in the series.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Capitals +1.5 (-180) are right at my personal limit for a singular bet. If you need insurance, and really like Washington, it’s okay to play this as a half-unit bet. But playing the Caps straight up would be a much better value. Personally, I’d PASS.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-105) is the lean, and the Kings are driving the play based on recent trends.
The Over is 15-6-2 in the past 23 games overall for the Kings, 9-3 in their last 12 against Eastern Conference foes and 14-4 in the past 18 against Metropolitan Division teams.
The Caps have cashed the Under at a 5-2-1 clip in the past 8 against winning teams. However, the Over is 3-1 in the past 4 games overall for Washington, whose rejuvenated offense is averaging 5.25 goals per game during that span.
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