The Los Angeles Kings appear to be peaking at the right time. With wins in five of their last six games, they look to keep the momentum going on their 4-game, regular-season-ending homestand when they host the Minnesota Wild.
Playing only for pride, Minnesota will try to avoid a three-game season series sweep.
What wager should you be targeting tonight with your NHL picks? Find out what I suggest in my Wild vs. Kings predictions for this April 15 matchup.
Wild vs Kings prediction
My best bet
Kings -1.5 (+155 at bet365)
My analysis
The Los Angeles Kings still have something to play for despite their playoff berth being clinched.
Sitting third in the Pacific Division with 97 points, they’re up by a point on the Golden Knights (who currently own a Wild Card berth), with two games for both remaining. The Kings shouldn’t need to worry if they keep taking care of business at Crypto.com Arena.
Their 3-1 win over the Ducks was their eighth straight on home ice. Running the table would give them 10 straight — the longest home win streak since a 12-game run in 92-93.
Defense has been the calling card of this most recent fun run. In L.A.’s last seven games, it’s held the opposition to 1.57 goals per game. For the season, the Kings rank fourth in goals against, limiting teams to a 2.54 mark.
For a team riding in the middle of the pack in scoring around three goals per game, the Kings have taken it to the Minnesota Wild in their head-to-head meetings.
The latest was on March 20, a 6-0 drubbing that topped a 7-3 blowout on October 19. Zoom out a little wider, and the Kings have won five of the last seven head-to-heads, outscoring the Wild 23-10 in those wins.
Keeping goals out hasn’t been the Wild’s forte this season as they're allowing 3.19 per game while scoring 3.03 themselves. At least they’re consistent: both rank 21st in the NHL.
Minnesota is coming off a 6-2 win over the Sharks, but it’s been a dreadful end-of-season run for a team floating around the Wild Card chase. Before beating San Jose, the Wild had dropped seven of 10.
Minny has also scored three or fewer goals four times in the last five games. A sagging offense is not a good thing against the usually stingy Kings.
Look for L.A. to continue its dominance against the Wild.
Wild vs Kings same-game parlay (SGP)
Kings -1.5
Kevin Fiala to score a goal
Adrian Kempe to score a goal
Let’s target a couple of Kings seeking the 30-goal mark on the season. Kevin Fiala is just a tally away from joining the 30-goal club for the second time, coming into tonight with goals in back-to-back games and five in his last seven.
Fiala was also one of the many Kings who lit the lamp against the Wild at least once in the previous two matchups.
Adrian Kempe enters Monday needing three goals in his last two regular-season games to break the 30-goal barrier for the third season in a row.
He’s been goalless in three straight games, but he does have points in 12 of his last 15, including six goals. Kempe has four tallies against the Wild in the last six matchups and nine points overall. He should stay on trend again.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Wild vs Kings odds
Wild vs Kings live odds
Wild vs Kings opening odds
- Puck line: Minnesota +1.5 (-185) | Los Angeles -1.5 (+155)
- Moneyline: Minnesota +145 | Los Angeles -170
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-110)| Under 5.5 (-110)
Wild vs Kings moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- L.A. has won five of the last seven against the Wild on the ML and is favored to do so again tonight
- The Wild are 2-4 on the ML in their last six
- The total today sits at 5.5 and the Over has hit in four of the last six head-to-heads
Wild vs Kings trend
The Kings are 8-0 straight up in their last eight home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Wild vs. Kings.
Wild vs Kings game info
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Monday, 4-15-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Wild vs Kings latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
