LA Kings vs. Washington Capitals betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

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The LA Kings (19-9-5) wrap up a 7-game road trip against the Washington Capitals (22-8-2) Sunday at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Kings vs. Capitals odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: First meeting; Capitals won 2-0 in 2023-24

The Kings lost 3-2 in overtime Saturday at the Nashville Predators, while going 2-1-2 in the past 5 outings. L.A. is 4-1-2 in the past 7 games on the road, too, including 3-1-2 on the current trip. The Under and Over have alternated in the past 5 games, but the Under is 12-4-1 in the past 17 outings.

The Capitals posted a 3-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes Friday cashing the Under for the third straight game. Washington has cashed low on the total at a 6-0-2 clip in the previous 8 contests, too. Caps goaltending has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 8 games in a row, too, good for 1.9 goals per game (GPG) in the span.

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Kings at Capitals odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 6:59 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Kings +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Capitals -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kings +1.5 (-225) | Capitals -1.5 (+180)
Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Kings at Capitals projected goalies

David Rittich (10-7-0, 2.49 GAA, .890% SV) vs. Logan Thompson (12-2-2, 2.48 GAA, .911 SV%)

Darcy Kuemper made the start in Saturday’s OTL in the Music City, so Rittich is expected to go Sunday. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 4 straight starts since being tuned up for 7 goals on 21 shots in a loss Nov. 25 at the San Jose Sharks.

Thompson allowed 3 goals at the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, kicking aside 20 of 23 shots in a 3-2 loss. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 4 straight starts, and 7 of the previous 8 assignments. Thompson is 2-1-1 with a 2.25 GAA and .909 SV% in December.

Kings at Capitals picks and predictions

Prediction

Capitals 3, Kings 2

Moneyline

The CAPITALS (-135) are a strong play at home. The Kings (+115) have had a long and winding road trip, and Los Angeles has done a decent job so far. However, it’s a tough assignment wrapping up a lengthy trip while also having to play on no rest in the finale.

It won’t be easy, though. L.A. is 4-0 when playing on no rest this season. Still, Washington is 3-0-1 in the past 4 games at home. Look for the Caps to ease by the Kings.

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Puck line/Against the spread

The Kings +1.5 (-225) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk if you require a little bit of insurance. L.A. is 11-1 in the past 12 games on the puck line as an underdog, but this is just a little too expensive.

AVOID.

Over/Under

UNDER 5.5 (-105) is the lean, but don’t get carried away.

The Under is on an impressive 6-0-2 run for Washington in the past 8 outings, while the total has gone low at a 4-1-1 pace in the past 6 at Capital One Arena.

For the visitors, the Under is 4-2 in the first 6 games of the trip, while going 9-4-3 in the past 16 outings on the road. The Under is 6-2-1 in the past 9 starts by Rittich, too.

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

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Tag: LA Kings vs. Washington Capitals betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

LA Kings at Washington Capitals odds, picks and predictions