by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Thursday, February 29, 2024
Venue: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Kings +120, Canucks -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Kings +120, Canucks -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Kings +120, Canucks -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
Los Angeles Kings: 29-19-10 (4th place, Pacific Division)
Vancouver Canucks: 38-16-7 (1st place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Kings: 6-4-0 last 10
Vancouver Canucks: 4-4-2 last 10
Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks Preview and Analysis
The Kings are entering this game with 68 points, a 29-19-10 record overall, and they are 18-9-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Calgary Flames in their last game, losing that one on the road 4-2. Kevin Fiala and Phillip Danault each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Kevin Fiala, Quinton Byfield, Drew Doughty, and Anže Kopitar each led the team in assists with 1 while Phillip Danault 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 36 shots with 33 saves and a .917 save percentage. Their offense has scored 178 goals this season averaging 3.1 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 160 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.
The Canucks are entering this game with 83 points, a 38-16-7 record overall, and they are 20-5-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their last game, losing that one at home 4-3 in overtime. J. T. Miller, Brock Boeser, and Nils Höglander each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Elias Pettersson led the team in assists with 2 while Brock Boeser led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Thatcher Demko was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 39 shots with 35 saves and a .897 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 221 goals this season averaging 3.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 170 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.
Kings vs Canucks Prediction
The current betting odds have the Kings listed as an underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Kings have looked really good in their games this season with their 29-19-10 record overall which has them in 4th place of their division in the West and in a Wild Card spot for the playoffs. They are looking to secure a true playoff spot in their division though and they have looked a lot better in their road games this year with their 18-9-4 road record. Meanwhile, the Canucks have also looked great in their games this season with their 38-16-7 record overall which has them leading their division in the West with one of the best records in the entire NHL right now. They have also looked great on their home ice all season with their 20-5-3 home record, but they did just lose a game on home ice against the Penguins in their last one and they haven't been at their best lately with their 4-4-2 record in their last 10 games. The Kings have been the hotter team lately with their 6-4-0 record in their last 10 games but they also have more motivation than the Canucks too. The Canucks haven't been at their best lately but they have a 10 point lead in their division over the 2nd place team while the Kings are right in the thick of things for a true playoff spot in the division and they will be looking to bounce back after losing to the Flames in their last one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Kings to win this game.
Kings Canucks Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Thursday, February 29, 2024 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Kings 4 Canucks 3.
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NHL Betting Trends
Los Angeles Kings: 28-29 (-12.9 units) on the moneyline in all games. 6-9 (-6.9 units) on the moneyline after 2 or more consecutive losses. 18-8 UNDER in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 17-7 UNDER off 2 consecutive losses of 2 goals or more to division rivals.
Vancouver Canucks: 38-23 (+9 units) on the moneyline in all games. 46-27 (+18.7 units) on the moneyline after playing 2 consecutive home games. 17-5 (+11.2 units) on the moneyline after allowing 4 goals or more. 7-3 UNDER after a home game where both teams score 3 or more goals.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Kings: A. Kempe (RW) Early March - Upper Body. M. Anderson (D) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. V. Arvidsson (RW) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. C. Grundstrom (RW) Mid March - Lower Body. P. Copley (G) out for season - Knee.
Vancouver Canucks: C. Soucy (D) Mid March - Hand. D. Joshua (C) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. G. Brisebois (D) Out indefinitely - Upper Body. T. Poolman (D) out for season - Migraine.
Notable Quotes
“They came out hard, hungry. They were better than us the first couple of minutes and it carried on to the game. It’s tough when you start behind like that, but those are just games we’ve got to win.” - Quinton Byfield after their loss against the Flames in their game on Tuesday.
“We’re hanging in there but we need some individuals to up their game, some guys are just OK. It’s been OK for a while and you have to contribute.” - Rick Tocchet after his team’s loss against the Penguins in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
LW Dubois, Pierre-Luc
C Kopitar, Anze
RW Byfield, Quinton
LD Moverare, Jacob
RD Doughty, Drew
G Talbot, Cam
Vancouver Canucks
LW Höglander, Nils
C Pettersson, Elias
RW Mikheyev, Ilya
LD Hughes, Quinn
RD Hronek, Filip
G Demko, Thatcher
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Kings
Points: A. Kempe (51)
Goals: T. Moore (22)
Assists: A. Kempe (32)
GAA: D. Rittich (2.32)
Vancouver Canucks
Points: J. Miller (81)
Goals: B. Boeser (34)
Assists: Q. Hughes (58)
GAA: T. Demko (2.50)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Kings: Jim Hiller (Interim)
Vancouver Canucks: Rick Tocchet (2nd season)
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.
