The LA Kings (16-12-9) and Colorado Avalanche (28-2-7) meet Monday at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Kings vs. Avalanche and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Avalanche lead 1-0; Colorado won 4-1 as slight favorites (-110) as the Under (6) cashed Oct. 7 in L.A.
The Kings routed the Anaheim Ducks 6-1 last time out Saturday as slight favorites (-120) as the total pushed (7). The Kings scored 4 goals with 4 different scorers Monday, including a goal from RW Alex Laferriere. Laferriere ended up with a hat trick, while D Quinton Byfield had a power-play goal and an assist, and C Anze Kopitar had 3 assists. G Anton Forsberg allowed a single goal on 26 shots faced.
Despite the win over Anaheim, L.A. is still just 2-4-2 in the past 8 games, while the Under is perfect (7-0-1) in the stretch.
Colorado outlasted the Vegas Golden Knights 6-5 in a shootout as road favorites (-155), as the Over (6) cashed. C Martin Necas led the way with 2 goals, while C Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and 3 points. Colorado has won 7 in a row since a 4-3 SOW at the Nashville Predators Dec. 9. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 outings.
Kings at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:01 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Kings +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Avalanche -235 (bet $235 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Kings +1.5 (-125) | Avalanche -1.5 (+105)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)Kings at Avalanche projected goalies
Anton Forsberg (6-5-3, 2.60 GAA, .904 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Mackenzie Blackwood (11-1-1, 2.16 GAA, .924 SV%, 2 SO)
Forsberg allowed a single goal on 26 shots in Saturday’s start against Anaheim. He is 2-3-1 in 5 starts and a relief appearance in December, but he has a 2.48 GAA and .917 SV%. He was not in the crease against the Avs in the first meeting.
Blackwood kicked side 28 of the 29 shots he faced Dec. 21 at the Minnesota Wild in his most recent showing. He has won 5 straight starts, allowing just 10 goals in the span, and he is 6-1-0 with a 2.32 GAA and .923 SV% in 6 starts and 7 appearances in December.
Kings at Avalanche picks and predictionsPrediction
Avalanche 3, Kings 1
The Avalanche (-235) will cost you nearly 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not nearly enough reward. Even if you were to toss Colorado into a multi-leg parlay, it decreases the value of your ticket quite a bit.
PASS.
Playing the AVALANCHE -1.5 (+105) at plus-money is as much better option.
The Avalanche have won the past 2 games at home by a single goal each, but they won the 9 before those at Ball Arena by at least 2 goals. So, if you like the Avalanche to win, you should also like them to cover as favorites on the puck line.
UNDER 6 (-115) is worth playing lightly based on the recent trends.
The Under is 7-0-1 in the past 8 games for the Kings, while the total has gone low in 11 of the past 17 outings. The Under also cashed in the Oct. 7 first meeting, too.
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