The Minnesota Wild (25-10-8) face the LA Kings (17-14-9) Monday. Puck drop from crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, is set for 10:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Wild vs. Kings odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Wild fell to the Kings in Los Angeles 5-4 in a shootout on Saturday. LW Matt Boldy scored his 26th goal of the season to tie with less than 3 minutes left in regulation and is now second in the NHL in goals. LW Kirill Kaprizov was held in check with just 1 shot on goal (though he did tally an assist). D Quinn Hughes also had an assist, giving him 12 points in 11 games since being traded to Minnesota.
The Kings were swarming offensively with 38 shots on goal. RW Adrian Kempe scored his 14th goal of the campaign while RW Quinton Byfield also had a goal and an assist. The Kings have won just 3 games in their last 11.
Wild at Kings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 2:15 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Wild -118 (bet $118 to win $100) | Kings -102 (bet $102 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Wild -1.5 (+200) | Kings +1.5 (-250)Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)Wild at Kings projected goalies
Filip Gustavsson (14-8-4, 2.45 GAA, .912 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Darcy Kuemper (11-7-6, 2.33 GAA, .911 SV%, 2 SO)
Gustavsson’s most recent start was Friday in a 5-2 win at Anaheim. The Swede stopped 26 of 28 shots fired his way. He has been rock solid, not allowing more than 3 goals in 14 straight starts. He went 1-1-0 with a 2.51 GAA and .911 SV% in 2 starts against the Kings last season.
Kuemper was in goal in Saturday’s shootout win, stopping 24 of 28. He has made 2 starts since Dec. 15 and allowed 4 goals in each. The former Cup winner is 1-0-1 with a 3.30 GAA and .870 SV% in 2 starts against Minnesota this season.
Wild at Kings picks and predictionsPrediction
Wild 3, Kings 1
I like the WILD (-118) in this one, but there are some causes for concern. They’ve cascaded wins and losses the last 4 games and this is their sixth straight road game. So, while we’re projecting a multi-goal win, I’ll stick to the ML.
PASS and stick to the ML.
The Wild are 7-2-1 O/U in their last 10 while the Kings are 4-6. Both games this season have gone Over, but with these teams playing each other twice in 3 days, I look for it to tighten up defensively.
Take UNDER 5.5 (-105).
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