by Rod Pearson
Saturday, Jan 27, 2024
Game Time: 2:00 pm ET, Sunday, January 28, 2024
Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Kings -142, Blues +120; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Kings -142, Blues +120; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Kings -142, Blues +120; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
Los Angeles Kings: 22-15-9 (4th place, Pacific Division)
St Louis Blues: 25-20-2 (5th place, Central Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Kings: 2-5-3 last 10
St Louis Blues: 6-3-1 last 10
Los Angeles Kings vs St Louis Blues Preview and Analysis
The Kings are entering this game with 53 points, a 22-15-9 record overall, and they are 14-6-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Colorado Avalanche in their last game, losing that one on the road 5-1. Kevin Fiala scored 1 goal for them in that game. Drew Doughty and Alex Laferriere each led the team in assists with 1 while Adrian Kempe led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Cam Talbot was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 12 shots with 9 saves and a .750 save percentage before getting replaced by David Rittich who allowed 2 goals on 19 shots with 17 saves and a .895 save percentage. Their offense has scored 145 goals this season averaging 3.2 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 126 goals against them allowing 2.7 goals per game.
The Blues are entering this game with 52 points, a 25-20-2 record overall, and they are 14-8-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Seattle Kraken in their last game, winning that one on the road 4-3 in overtime. Pavel Buchnevich led the team in goals scored with 2 while Robert Thomas and Oskar Sundqvist each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Brayden Schenn led the team in assists with 2 while Torey Krug and Jordan Kyrou each led the team in shots on net in that game with 3. Jordan Binnington was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 36 shots with 33 saves and a .917 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 137 goals this season averaging 2.9 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 149 goals against them allowing 3.2 goals per game.
Kings vs Blues Prediction
The current betting odds have the Blues listed as an underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Blues haven't looked great in their games this season with their 25-20-2 record overall which has them in 5th place of their division in the West. They haven't been bad on home ice though with their 14-8-1 home record this season and they have also looked a lot better under their interim head coach. They have been getting hot lately too with their 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games and also won their last one on the road. Meanwhile, the Kings have looked good in their games this season with their 22-15-9 record overall which has them in 4th place of their division in the West and fighting for a Wild Card spot right now. The Kings were playing a lot better though as they were in the top 3 of their division and lately they have been in a big slump that has seen them slip down the standings. They have looked a lot better in their road games this season with their 14-6-3 road record, but a lot of those wins came at the beginning of the season when they were having more success. They have looked terrible lately with their 2-5-3 record in their last 10 games and they have no momentum on their side as they are coming off another road loss in Colorado. The Blues are the hotter team right now coming into this one and they have the value on home ice at this price. The best way to place a bet here is on the Blues to win this game.
Kings Blues Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Sunday, January 28, 2024 (2:00 pm ET start time) is Blues 5 Kings 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Los Angeles Kings: 22-24 (-13.2 units) on the moneyline in all games. 1-7 (-8.2 units) on the moneyline off a road loss. 27-18 UNDER in all games. 15-6 UNDER in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 17-9 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive unders.
St Louis Blues: 25-22 (+8.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 15-8 (+11 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss versus opponent. 11-6 under revenging a loss vs opponent of 2 goals or more. 15-7 under after winning 2 consecutive games in overtime.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Kings: Q. Byfield (C) Ques Sun - Illness. B. Lizotte (C) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. P. Copley (G) out for season - Knee. V. Arvidsson (RW) Mid Feb - Back.
St Louis Blues: J. Faulk (D) Ques Sun - Undisclosed. K. Kapanen (RW) Mid Feb - Lower Body.
Notable Quotes
“We know we have a good group in here. We have the right pieces. But at the same time, we’ve got to start taking ownership of it as a group and turning this around.” - Mikey Anderson after their loss against the Avalanche in their game on Friday.
“We’re committed more to the standards that we’re asking for our guys and we’re starting to see that, and I think that has to do with resiliency. But I think guys are just more focused on what they can control right now and the things that we can’t control aren’t a distraction.” - Drew Bannister after his team’s win against the Kraken in their game on Friday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
LW Laferriere, Alex
C Kopitar, Anze
RW Kempe, Adrian
LD Anderson, Michael
RD Doughty, Drew
G Talbot, Cam
St Louis Blues
LW Buchnevich, Pavel
C Thomas, Robert
RW Kyrou, Jordan
LD Leddy, Nick
RD Parayko, Colton
G Binnington, Jordan
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Kings
Points: A. Kempe (42)
Goals: T. Moore (21)
Assists: K. Fiala (30)
GAA: D. Rittich (1.86)
St Louis Blues
Points: R. Thomas (51)
Goals: R. Thomas (17)
Assists: R. Thomas (34)
GAA: J. Hofer (2.88)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Kings: Todd McLellan (5th season)
St Louis Blues: Drew Bannister (Interim)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
