The Los Angeles Kings and the New York Islanders will meet for the first time this season at UBS Arena on Friday night.
The Kings are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Devils on Thursday, marker their second straight loss following the end of a four-game winning streak. The Islanders last defeated the Jets 2-1 on Wednesday, giving New York its third win in a four-game stretch.
Can L.A. get back in the win column, or will New York stay hot? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Kings vs. Islanders on February 24.
Kings vs Islanders best odds
Kings vs Islanders picks and predictions
This handicapper was stunned to see an opening total of 5.5 goals in this game. While it's true the New York Islanders have generally played defensively-sound contests at home this year, the Los Angeles Kings are averaging some of the highest-scoring games in the NHL, regardless of venue.
L.A. hasn’t seen a closing Over/Under below six goals since December 29 and has only allowed a total of 5.5 hung on only three of its games all season. While I expect this line to drift up at every book by the time the puck drops tonight, there are still multiple sites currently offering a 5.5 total.
The Kings — who are averaging 6.7 combined goals in their games this season — cashed the Over for the fourth time in a five-game span and the eighth time in a 10-game sample on Thursday night. Adrian Kempe was held off the scoresheet by New Jersey, but he leads L.A. in goals with six this month. That includes his incredible four-goal night against the Penguins on February 11, as the winger has recorded a point in seven consecutive games dating back to January 31.
Anze Kopitar has a goal in four straight contests, plus a team-high 10 points in February which ties the team captain with Kevin Fiala and Kempe. Viktor Arvidsson is also averaging a point a game this month with four goals to his credit.
Meanwhile, Brock Nelson has been electric for the Isles this month, doing his best to compensate for the lack of production from the injured Mathew Barzal, J.G. Pageau, and Josh Bailey. He has 12 points in nine games, finding the scoresheet in all but one of them. Anders Lee has five points in his last four games, and mid-season acquisition Bo Horvat has a goal and two assists in his last two tilts.
With both sets of forwards finding their best stride in the home stretch of the regular season, the Over is the right side.
My best bet: Over 5.5 (-125 at WynnBet)
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Kings vs Islanders moneyline analysis
Unlike the Kings, the Isles appear to have a clear and obvious advantage in net on Friday night and have had the benefit of a day of rest. New York seems to be slightly undervalued on the moneyline in this spot.
Phoenix Copley would be starting back-to-back games (as well as his third game in four nights) if he got the nod from head coach Todd McLellan on Friday, so it seems safe to assume an over-the-hill Jonathan Quick will be in the blue paint tonight.
Quick has an ugly SV% of .864 or worse in four straight starts, and his road splits (3.71 GAA, .872 SV%) won’t strike fear into any opponent. The veteran netminder will be playing behind a leg-weary Kings team that tends to chase games, as they’re 20th in scoring chances for (50.6%) at 5-on-5.
Whether it’s Ilya Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov between the pipes, Islander bettors should feel fairly confident. The former owns a 2.03 GAA and .933 SV% at home, while the latter owns a 2.15 GAA and .922 SV% in six starts at UBS Arena this year.
Trend bettors should note that the Kings are 2-7 in their last nine games in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation, while the Isles have won each of their last six games after scoring two or fewer goals in their previous affair.
Kings vs Islanders Over/Under analysis
The Kings’ bread-and-butter is their power play, ranking second in conversion rate (25.9%). They’ve had a total of two chances and failed to capitalize on them during their current two-game losing streak, but if the Islanders open the door, look out.
L.A. successfully converted nine of its last 18 power play chances prior to Tuesday, while New York has surrendered a man-advantage goal in three straight games. The Isles' offense also jumps from 30.7 shots per game overall to 33 per game at home, while the Kings’ allow 29.4 shots per game on the road, compared to an overall figure of 28.7.
With L.A. also on short rest, it would not be shocking to see Quick being forced to combat an onslaught of shots, something that would be disastrous for both the Kings and Under bettors.
The Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings between these two teams, with a 5-1-1 mark in the last seven games in New York. The Isles are 4-2-1 to the Over in their last seven overall, while the Kings are 6-1 to the Over in their last seven road games.
Kings vs Islanders betting trend to know
The home team is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings between these two clubs. Find more NHL betting trends for Kings vs Islanders.
Kings vs Islanders game info
| Location: | UBS Arena, Elmont, NY |
| Date: | Friday, February 24, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally West, MSG Sports Network |
