NHL betting preview (Nov. 4): Kings vs. Predators odds

Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea

One team will aim to continue their climb back up the Western Conference standings while the other tries to stay at the top when the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators go head-to-head on Monday. The Predators enter the game as -150 home favorites on the moneyline.

Kings vs. Predators Odds

Los Angeles Kings Moneyline: +125
Nashville Predators Moneyline: -150
Puck Line: Kings +1.5 (-190), Predators -1.5 (+155)
Game Total: 6 (Over -120, Under +100)

All odds via Sports Interaction.

Matchup

Nashville’s early struggles are well-documented. Though the Predators bounced back with three straight wins after a 0-5 start, they have lost two of their last three games. Los Angeles also started slow, with just one win in its first four games, but a couple of those losses were in overtime, softening the blow. They’ve gone 5-2-1 since then.

The Predators and Kings met three times last season, with Nashville winning twice. The Predators have won six of the past nine meetings, including four of the last five, but they are 2-2 straight-up against the Kings as the home team dating back to the start of the 2021-22 regular season. Nashville is 1-1-1 as the road team this season while Los Angeles is 3-3-2 as the road team.

Handicapping Kings vs. Predators

Los Angeles is 6-6 straight-up, while Nashville is 4-7, making it hard to justify betting on the Predators at -150 odds, especially since they opened at shorter odds. Additionally, underlying metrics suggest Los Angeles is the stronger team. According to Evolving Hockey, the Kings rank among the top three teams in expected goals and shots at five-on-five. They also rank eighth in expected goals per 60 minutes and first in expected goals against per 60.

That said, Nashville has always had a strong home-ice advantage, and Juuse Saros gives the Predators an edge in goal. Saros hasn’t been great this season, but Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich rank 54th and 58th out of 67 goaltenders in goals saved above expected, according to Evolving Hockey. Kuemper had one great game against Buffalo, but he’s been either injured or performing below average since then and Rittich has been hit or miss.

Best Bets for Kings vs. Predators

Kevin Fiala Anytime Goal (+240) at Sports Interaction

Head coach Jim Hillier sent a message to forward Kevin Fiala last week. Fiala was first benched in the third period of Saturday’s game against Utah for taking a couple of penalties, then scratched from Tuesday’s game against San Jose for missing a team meeting due to a faulty alarm. However, he returned on Wednesday, scoring a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, and followed up with two more points on Saturday. Fiala has five goals and five assists in 11 games this season, ranking third on the team, but he leads the Kings in expected goals and shot attempts. Nashville ranks among the bottom-10 teams in shots against, and the bottom-five teams in goals against.

Follow Andy’s bets on the Action App here.