Kings vs Blues Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight - NHL

The St. Louis Blues host the Los Angeles Kings in a Western Conference tilt to kick off Sunday’s mini-two-Game NHL slate. NHL odds have Los Angeles listed as a small road favorite while the total has bounced between 6 and 6.5.

The Under has been a profitable bet when these two teams have squared off over the past couple of seasons, with six or fewer total goals scored in seven of the past nine meetings.

Will we see another low-scoring affair, or will the script get flipped? Find out in my free NHL picks for Kings vs. Blues on Sunday, January 28.

Kings vs Blues odds

Kings vs Blues predictions

The St. Louis Blues are typically a good team to look at for Unders, given the combination of poor offensive play and good goaltending. Let’s start with the offense, which ranks 24th or lower in the league in goals scored per Game, shots on goal per Game, and power play percentage.

Its underlying metrics are even worse, ranking 28th in expected goals per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. That brings us to the goaltending, which has been much better due to the efforts of Jordan Binnington, who's slated to guard the cage on Sunday.

Through 34 appearances in the crease, Binnington is 17-12-2 with a .907 SV% and 2.97 GAA. He enters this matchup in particularly good form, posting a 3-0 record with a commanding .933 SV% and 1.97 GAA over his past three starts.

This success is likely to continue against the Los Angeles Kings, a team Binnington boasts a .906 SV% and 2.82 GAA over his past 14 starts. There were six or fewer total goals scored in 10 of those 14 outings.

I'm confident that this trend will continue with goaltender David Rittich slated to start across the ice. While it is a limited sample size, Rittich has thrived this season with a 4-1-2 record, .927 SV% and 1.86 GAA through nine appearances between the pipes.

Making Rittich’s job easy is the fact that he plays behind one of the best two-way teams in hockey. This season, the Kings rank in the Top 7 of the league in goals allowed per Game, shots on goal allowed per Game, penalty kill percentage, and penalty minutes taken per Game.

Los Angeles’ underlying metrics also suggest that regression is unlikely as it ranks seventh in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.

 However, things get a bit shakier when it comes to the Kings’ offense as they hover around the league average in goals scored per game and power play percentage.

My best bet: Under 6 (+105 at BetMGM)

MORE NHL FREE PICKS

Kings vs Blues same-game parlay

DraftKings Logo

Under 6

Kings moneyline

+246 at DraftKings

While I like the Under in this matchup, this SGP is a way to involve betting Los Angeles at plus-money odds. There are a ton of reasons to love the Kings in this spot, as they're better pretty much all over the ice.

Offensively, they pace St. Louis in goals scored per game, shots on goal per game, and power play percentage. They also rank higher in xGF/60 at 5-on-5.

The same rings true defensively, ranking higher in goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game, and penalty kill percentage. Additionally, Los Angeles also ranks higher in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Best NHL bonuses for Kings vs Blues

DraftKings All Users
Get one no-sweat SGP every day
Bonus bets back if you don’t win! Claim Now

BetMGM New Users
Wager $5 on any market
Get $158 in bonus bets! Claim Now

Eligible USA locations only. Also, see our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2024.
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Kings vs Blues moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Kings opened as a -142 favorite and remain at that number at the time of writing. I think the market is going to inflate this line, mainly for all the aforementioned variables above.

That brings us to the total, which opened at 6 and also remains as such. There are books where 6.5 is available, however, I would rather play Under 6 at plus money than lay a larger price on Under 6.5.

With that said, for our more risk-averse bettors, I believe there's still value in Under 6.5 if you wish to go that route.

Kings vs Blues betting trend to know

There have been six or fewer goals scored in seven of the past nine meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Kings vs. Blues.

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.

Kings vs Blues game info

Location: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
Date: Sunday, January 28, 2024
Puck drop: 2:00 p.m. ET
TV: Bally Sports West, Bally Sports Mountain West
Covers NHL betting tools
  • NHL odds
  • NHL picks
  • NHL player props
  • Stanley Cup odds
  • Hart Trophy odds
  • Best NHL betting sites
  • Today’s NHL matchups

Kings vs Blues latest injuries

MORE NHL FREE PICKS

Google News
Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Super League chief claims 20 clubs have agreed to join project

The co-founder of A22 Sports Management, the group behind the Super League project , has claimed that 20 clubs have already given their approval to joining the new com Pet ition if it ever gets off the ground. Despite widespread criticism from fans across the globe, A22 continue to try and bring the Super League to life and found renewed hope last month when a court ruled that neither FIFA nor UEFA had the power to punish any teams who wished to take part - one of the most severe deterrents from the initial storm back in April 2021. With that knowledge in the back pocket, A22 chief Anas Laghrari revealed talks have been held with over 50 clubs about joining the Super League and claimed they have received enough support to actually get the project underway. "I don't want to say their names because I don't want to expose them," Laghrari told Ouest France . "Since December 21, we have spoken with around 50 different clubs. About 20 of them are very, very motiva...
Read more

January transfer window: Cut price signings Premier League clubs should make

Image
In a transfer market where holding midfielders are now going for over £100m, it can be quite difficult to find a bargain. The days when you could get a Andrea Pirlo for free, a Nemanja Vidic for £7m, or an Andy Robertson for £8m are seemingly long gone, but with a little due diligence clubs can still find the odd shrewd transfer move. And luckily for Premier League clubs, we've done that due diligence for them. Here's seven cut price signings that Premier League should consider during the January transfer window. 1. Paulo Dybala A top player when fit / Silvia Lore/GettyImages Suitable clubs : Manchester United, Arsenal , Chelsea Potential fee: £10.3m A release clause inserted into Paulo Dybala's contract means that your club could acquire one of the best left feet in the Game for just £10.3m. The issue? Said left foot is attached to a player who is egregiously injury prone - missing 28 Game s in the last 18 months due to eight separate ailments. When sporadically fit thoug...
Read more