The LA Kings (10-5-4) and Washington Capitals (8-8-2) meet Monday in Washington, D.C. The opening puck drop at Capital One Arena will be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Kings vs. Capitals odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; split 1-1 in 2024-25
LA is continuing a road swing that has thus far seen the club go 4-0-0. The Kings’ last game was Saturday when they filed a 1-0 (Under 5.5) conquest over the -105 Ottawa Senators.
Washington is continuing a home stand that opened with the -145 Capitals falling to the New Jersey Devils 3-2 (Under 5.5) in a shootout Saturday. The Caps are 1-3-1 across their last 5 games.
Kings at Capitals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:53 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Kings +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Capitals -135 (bet $135 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kings +1.5 (-225) | Capitals -1.5 (+185)Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Kings at Capitals projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (7-3-3, 2.44 GAA, .903 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Logan Thompson (7-5-1, 1.85 GAA, .925 SV%)
Kuemper last played Thursday, yielding 3 goals against 15 shots in a 4-3 OT triumph at the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Thompson stopped 29 of 31 pucks in Saturday’s game against the Devils. He has allowed just 7 goals over his last 5 home starts.
Kings at Capitals picks and predictionsPrediction
Capitals 4, Kings 2
The Capitals are just 2-6-2 since Oct. 25, but 5-on-5 expected-goal numbers over that stretch have been impressive. In that same 10-game stretch, Washington has registered a strong 56.3% Corsi-for (5-on-5).
Expected-goal numbers do not fully back up the Kings’ robust 9-1-2 mark away from LA. And the Kings are cold when it comes to the extra-man advantage. LA has converted just 3 power plays in its last 36 opportunities.
In net, Thompson has a history of strong starts to seasons and is off to one this fall. In 5 career games against the Kings, he has notched a 1.92 GAA on a .918 SV%.
The CAPITALS (-135) are the value side here.
No interest; STEER CLEAR.
LA (2.84 goals per game) and Washington (2.83) head into this week ranked 22nd and 23rd, respectively, in scoring. But both sport 5-on-5 analytics that would indicate more twine-finders are in the tank. Both clubs have developed more quality looks in 5-on-5 play than just about anybody.
LA’s games on 1-day rest have been high-scoring at both ends. The Caps have the likable side of the projected goalie matchup but have been leaky of late on the penalty kill. Opposing power plays have gone 7-for-their-last-20 (35%).
Look to the OVER 5.5 (-105) for the best value.
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