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The San Jose Sharks (0-5-2) take on the LA Kings (3-2-2) at Crypto.com Arena Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Sharks vs. Kings odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Kings won 3-1 in 2023-24
The Sharks are still looking for their 1st victory in regulation. After a promising start in their Oct. 10 season opener, holding a 4-1 lead after 2 periods against the visiting St. Louis Blues, a 3rd-period and overtime collapse led to a 5-4 loss and seemed to knock this young team off course. Since then, San Jose is 0-5-1, with a total of just 9 goals, or 1.5 goals per game (GPG).
San Jose saw No. 1 overall pick C Macklin Celebrini score a goal while adding an assist against the Blues, but he hasn’t played since due to a lower-body injury.
The Kings had a 7-game road odyssey to begin the season as renovations were being made to Crypto.com Arena. So, LA finally gets to have its home opener. The Kings were a respectable 3-2-2 in the road trip, while averaging a healthy 3.1 GPG.
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Sharks at Kings 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 4:23 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Sharks +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Kings -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sharks +1.5 (+100) | Kings -1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Sharks at Kings projected goalies
Mac Blackwood (0-2-2, 4.09 GAA, .896 SV%) vs. David Rittich (2-2-0, 3.39 GAA, .859 SV%)
Blackwood has alternated poor starts and good starts so far. In the Oct. 10 loss to the Blues and an 8-3 setback at the Winnipeg Jets Friday, he allowed 5 goals in each outing — Blackwood was pulled 1:46 into 2nd period vs. the Jets. In a 3-2 SO loss at the Dallas Stars Oct. 15 and a 3-1 defeat at the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday, he conceded just 2 goals apiece but received very little offensive support.
Rittich allowed just 6 total goals in his first 3 outings, which included a pair of 4-1 victories at the Montreal Canadians Oct. 17 and at Anaheim Sunday. However, he was pounded for 6 goals on 30 shots in a 6-1 setback against the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday in his last start.
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Sharks at Kings picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 4, Sharks 1
Moneyline
The Kings (-350) are overwhelming favorites in the home opener, and laying 3½ times the potential return is not a recommended option. That’s just way too much risk for not nearly enough reward.
While the Sharks (+260) were pretty poor last season, the final 2 meetings with the Kings resulted in a pair of 1-goal games, and 4 of the past 6 in the series have been decided by a single goal, including 2 shootouts, so this battle of California can be fierce.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The KINGS -1.5 (-120) are a little better price laying the goal and a half in their home opener. The building should be jumping, and LA has played some pretty good hockey to this point.
The same cannot be said for the Sharks as they’re off to another dreadful start.
Over/Under
UNDER 6 (-120) is worth a look.
In 3 of 4 meetings last season, and 6 of the past 9 since March 12, 2022, the total has gone Under in this series.
The toothless Sharks offense attack has managed just 9 total goals in the past 6 outings, and the Under is 4-1-1 in the span.
For the Kings, the Under has cashed in 4 of 7 games, including 2 of the previous 3. The losing team in Los Angeles games this season has managed 2 or fewer goals.
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