Two teams currently on losing streaks, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings take the ice at the Staples Center. The game will get underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 26, and fans at home will be able to catch this East-West matchup live on NBC Sports Network.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Los Angeles Kings Odds
Playing the role of favorite will be Pittsburgh (-170), while Los Angeles is an underdog offering moneyline odds of +150,, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been placed at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -105 money on the over and -115 for the under at PointsBet Sportsbook.
Pittsburgh is 37-24 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 6.9 units this season. Through 61 regular season outings, 30 of its games have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just two have pushed. As a road team in 2019-20, the Pens are 15-14 SU.
Pittsburgh has converted on 21.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 81.8 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Pittsburgh has been called for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 4.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s had to kill penalties just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 25.3 saves per game with a .901 save percentage, Matt Murray (18-15-5) has been the best option in goal for Pittsburgh this season. If Pittsburgh chooses to rest him, however, head coach Mike Sullivan might turn to Tristan Jarry (20-10-1 record, .927 save percentage, 2.23 goals against average).
Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Penguins. Malkin (62 points) is up to 21 goals and 41 assists, and has recorded two or more points 18 times. Rust has 23 goals and 26 assists to his credit (and has logged a point in 29 games).
On the other side of the rink, Los Angeles is 22-41 straight up (SU) and has lost 11.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 63 regular season outings, 33 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just five have pushed. This season, the team is 13-15 SU at home.
Los Angeles has converted on just 16.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 29th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.7 percent of all penalties.
Los Angeles players have been whistled for penalties only 3.1 times per game this season, and 4.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (26.1 saves per game) has been the primary netminder in the crease for Los Angeles. Quick has 13 wins, 26 losses, and four OT losses and has registered a subpar .898 save percentage and 2.96 goals against average this season.
Anze Kopitar (18 goals, 38 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the Kings.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 0-3 in games that go to shootout. Pittsburgh is 3-0 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Pittsburgh’s last five games.
Pittsburgh’s attempted 32.0 shots per game overall this season (ranked 11th in the NHL), and 31.2 in its last 10 outings.
Eight of Los Angeles’ last ten games have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 2-6 overall in those games.
Pittsburgh skaters have accounted for the league’s most hits per game (28.4).