NHL: Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche Preview
Kings Cling to Wild Card Spot, Avs Catch Jets in Central
The Los Angeles Kings (22-14-9, 53 points) head to Ball Arena to take on the Colorado Avalanche (31-14-3, 65 points) who have caught the Winnipeg Jets at 65 points although they still have work to do with the Jets owning two NHL games in hand.
Los Angeles is a desperate hockey team after dropping home games to the Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks. The Avalanche are the top-ranked team in our latest NHL power rankings, while Los Angeles is 12th. Opening NHL odds have the Avalanche as a -138 home favorite with a total of 6 (over -124). Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
Kings vs Avalanche 
Day/Time:
Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Lack Of Heart In Kings Game
It’s been a question mark all NHL season and perhaps it’s easier if you’re a fan of the Silver and Black to ignore, but what happens when the luck runs out on the road and the team is still struggling at home? When we say struggling we’re talking about a Kings team that has taken two points from their opposition just eight times in 23 home games.
Nine times they failed to earn a single point with their latest losses coming at the hands of the San Jose Sharks as a -388 favorite and a -190 home favorite against the Buffalo Sabres. Talk around the hockey community was they needed the Sabres games to show there was pride and fight.
The game started well enough with the Kings owning a 3-1 advantage after the first period but it took the Sabres a little over 10 minutes of the second period to tie it up at three after a Jack Quinn tally. When it was done, Buffalo scored four straight goals to hand Los Angeles their sixth loss in their last seven home games.
The sun came up Thursday with Todd McLellan still holding on to his job which was a surprise to some who cover the team. Being on the right side of an NHL score in Denver will put a small band-aid on a massive wound.
Avalanche Aims to Add Veteran
It’s being reported that the Colorado Avalanche aren’t waiting until the trade deadline to improve with the rumors that the Avs signing of veteran Zach Parise is imminent. He won’t be in the lineup for tonight’s game but just the mention of an NHL player of his caliber coming in will light a spark under the whole team for various reasons.
For bettors that simply means Colorado is likely to give an inspired effort. With the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders also in the mix for the services of the 39-year-old, it’s far from a done deal but one that could positively affect the Avalanche through the all-star break.
Colorado can smell that playoff drive coming with a record of 15-5-1 over their last 21 games and six of eight. For total bettors, the Avalanche have cashed over tickets in six straight and 10 of their last 11.
Jared Bednar’s team leads the NHL in scoring with 3.81 goals per game but has been even better than that of late, averaging 4.64 goals per game in their last 11 and 5.50 goals per game in their last four games after scoring at least six goals three times. We conclude our Kings vs Avalanche preview with our top NHL pick.
Can’t Pull The Trigger On LA
Our first thought when looking at the number is this is a trap. The Avalanche should at least be a 150-plus favorite but a bad number doesn’t necessarily mean that someone knows something, especially when it comes to the NHL. If there’s a sport where the oddsmakers are clueless at times it’s the National Hockey League.
Believe us when we tell you to jump on this as quickly as possible because money will roll in on Colorado like an avalanche. This number will be -145 to -150 before most of you will wake up in the morning.
If the Kings lose to the Buffalo Sabres at home after losing to the worst NHL team in hockey the game before and then go to Denver and grab a win perhaps we’re as clueless about this team as we think the oddsmakers are. Colorado is our official selection. All the best with your Friday NHL wagers.
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