The Columbus Blue Jackets (14-15-6) and Los Angeles Kings (15-10-9) meet Monday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Blue Jackets vs. Kings and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Split 1-1
The Blue Jackets lost 4-3 on Saturday in Anaheim against the Ducks as a slight underdog (+104) as the Over (6.5) cashed. D Zach Werenski had a goal and assist, while G Elvis Merzlikins allowed 4 goals on 28 shots in the loss. The Jackets are 1-6-1 in the past 8 games, while cashing the Over in 8 of their last 11 outings.
The Kings beat the Lightning 2-1 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, cashing as a huge underdog (+199) as the Under (5.5) cashed. RW Adrian Kempe scored 2 goals to lift G Anton Forsberg to the win. The goaltender made 31 saves on 32 shots. L.A. has struggled to light the lamp lately, posting just 8 goals (1.6 goals per game) in their past 5 outings. The Under is a perfect 5-0 in that span.
Blue Jackets 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 2:10 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Blue Jackets +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Kings -170 (bet $170 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-175) | Kings -1.5 (+145)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)Blue Jackets at Kings projected goalies
Jet Greaves (8-9-5, 2.77 GAA, .903 SV%) vs. Anton Forsberg (5-4-3, 2.69 GAA, .900 SV%, 1 SO)
Greaves has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 5 starts and 1 relief appearance in 6 games in December, but he is just 1-5-0 with a 2.65 GAA and .912 SV%. The offense has managed just 12 goals of support (2.0 GPG). He is 3-4-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .908 SV% in 9 road starts this season.
Forsberg allowed a goal on 32 shots in Tampa on Thursday, but he is still just 1-2-1 in 3 starts and 4 outings in December. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals in each of his past 6 starts and 7 appearances. Forsberg is just 1-2-1 with a 3.20 GAA and .881 SV% in 4 home starts this season.
Blue Jackets at Kings picks and predictionsPrediction
Blue Jackets 3, Kings 2
BLUE JACKETS (+140) are worth a roll of the dice as a moderate underdog, as they look to even up in wins and losses before the holidays.
The Kings have really struggled to score goals lately, lighting the lamp 8 times in the past 5 games, putting a lot of stress and strain on the defense and goaltending.
Columbus +1.5 (-175) is just a little too pricey for my liking, as it will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return. If you were to fold the Jackets into a multi-leg parlay, that would be OK.
Even if you believe L.A. will win, 4 of its past 5 games are 1-goal games, going 1-1-2 in those outings.
AVOID.
BACK UNDER 6 (-120) but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Under is a perfect 5-0 in the past 5 games for the Kings, as they’ve just had a power outage on offense lately. They’ve also allowed just 2.1 GPG across the past 10 games, going low in 8 of those outings.
The Over is 3-0 in the past 3 games for Columbus, however, so tread lightly.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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