The Vegas Golden Knights (1-0-0) face the Los Angeles Kings (0-0-0) Thursday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Golden Knights vs. Kings odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Golden Knights opened the post-Marc-Andre Fleury era with a 4-3 victory over the expansion Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Arena Tuesday. Now, VGK plays its first road outing of the season.
The Kings have dropped three consecutive regular-season openers, each by one goal. Their last victory in an opener came Oct. 5, 2017, behind Jonathan Quick against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers.
Golden Knights at Kings odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Golden Knights -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Kings +133 (bet $100 to win $133)
- Against the spread (ATS): Golden Knights -1.5 (+145) | Kings +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -122 | U: -102)
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Golden Knights at Kings projected goalies
Robin Lehner (1-0-0, 3.01 GAA, .903 SV%) vs. Calvin Petersen (9-18-5, 2.89 GAA, .911 SV% in 2020-21)
Lehner stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced in Tuesday’s regular-season opener against the Kraken. He posted a 4-0-0 record, 2.00 GAA and .927 SV% vs. LAK last season.
Petersen didn’t have a ton of success overall last season going 4-10-0 at home. However, he did have a respectable 2.67 GAA and .914 SV% at Staples and was the victim of poor goal support.
Golden Knights at Kings odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Golden Knights 4, Kings 3
Money line
The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-165) won the season opener by a 4-3 score, and I like them to win this one by the same exact margin.
In recent seasons, the Kings (+133) have come close in regular-season openers, but they have just come up short. Look for the trend to continue, as VGK is 6-2 in the past eight meetings.
Against the spread
The KINGS +1.5 (-190) are a little on the expensive side. As mentioned, they have dropped three straight regular-season openers, but each have been one-goal games, with just one of the outings decided in regulation.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-122) is the best play on the board between these rivals. The Over has connected in 10 of the past 13 meetings, including six of the past seven battles at Staples. Look for the red light to be lit frequently Thursday.
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