The Florida Panthers (6-6-1) and LA Kings (6-4-4) meet Thursday. Puck drop from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+ / hulu). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Panthers vs. Kings and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Tied 1-1
The Panthers were trampled 7-3 Tuesday by the Anaheim Ducks in the first stop of a 4-game road Western Conference road trip as the Over (6) cashed. C Evan Rodrigues posted a goal and an assist as the only Panthers player with a multi-point night. The Panthers are just 2-2-1 in the past 5 games, and 1-5-0 in 6 games on the road.
The Kings are coming off a 3-0 victory as moderate favorites (-130) against the Winnipeg Jets as the Under (5.5) cashed. G Darcy Kuemper stopped all 23 shots he faced, while WR Adrian Kempe, LW Kevin Fiala and D Drew Doughty netted the goals. Los Angeles has posted a 3-1-1 record in the past 5 games, and 5-1-3 mark in the past 9 outings, while the Under has a 2-1 edge in the past 3 contests.
Panthers at Kings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:05 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Panthers -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Kings -115 (bet $115 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers -1.5 (+225) | Kings +1.5 (-285)Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Panthers at Kings projected goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky (6-4-0, 2.81 GAA, .883 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Darcy Kuemper (4-3-3, 2.57 GAA, .900 SV%, 1 SO)
Bob was paddled for 7 goals on 32 shots in the loss Tuesday in Anaheim. He had allowed 3 or fewer goals in 8 of his first 9 games, including a 17-save shutout Oct. 25 at home against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Kuemper stopped all 23 shots he faced in a 3-0 win against the Jets last time out Tuesday. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 4 straight starts, and 8 of his past 9 outings.
Panthers at Kings picks and predictionsPrediction
Kings 3, Panthers 2
The KINGS (-115) are worth playing lightly, as Bobrovsky was very shaky last time out. Of course, it’s also rare for him to have a losing streak or consecutive poor outings, too. Still, the goaltender scales are slightly tipped in favor of Kuemper and the Kings at the moment.
The Kings +1.5 (-285) will cost you nearly 3 times your potential return if you are rather conservative and you cannot bet Los Angeles straight up against the 2-time defending Stanley Cup champs.
PASS, and just play the moneyline instead. There is no value here.
UNDER 5.5 (-115) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Under has cashed in the previous 2 outings for the Kings, both at home, with a total of 8 goals in between the 2 games.
The Under has a 3-2 edge for the Panthers against Western Conference teams this season, although the Over has cashed in each of the past 2 instances. The Under has cashed in each of the past 4 meetings between these teams, and it is 6-1-1 in the past 8 in the series dating back to Dec. 16, 2021.
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