The lights of Broadway shine on a high-profile return as Artemi Panarin visits MSG. Traded to the West Coast, Panarin enters his former home with 69 points in 62 games this season. He’s been an absolute revelation for Los Angeles, recording 12 points and 26 shots in just 10 games with the Kings. His deep familiarity with the Rangers’ defensive schemes and Igor Shesterkin’s tendencies gives LA a massive edge.
The Kings just celebrated Anze Kopitar, who surpassed Marcel Dionne for the most points in Kings history (1,308 career points). Even at 38, Kopitar is the team’s heartbeat, scoring twice recently. The Rangers counter with Mika Zibanejad (62 pts) and a potent power play, hoping to neutralize LA’s star power.
In total there are 5 NHL games Monday night.
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Los Angeles Kings at New York Rangers
- Date & Time: March 16 2026 at 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden in New York City New York
- Broadcast: MSG Network and FDSNW and ESPN Plus
| Odds | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Kings | -1.5 at +194 | +105 | Over 5.5 at -122 |
| New York Rangers | +1.5 at -245 | -125 | Under 5.5 at +100 |
Key Storylines
The primary focus of this evening is the return of the Breadman. Artemi Panarin has been a revelation for Los Angeles since the trade as he has recorded 12 points and 26 shots on goal in just 10 games with the Kings. His familiarity with the Rangers defensive schemes and the tendencies of Igor Shesterkin could give the visitors a massive edge. However, the Kings are also celebrating a legend of their own. Anze Kopitar just made history by surpassing Marcel Dionne for the most points in Kings history with 1,308 career points. Kopitar scored twice on Saturday and remains the heartbeat of the team even at age 38. His leadership will be vital as the Kings look to bounce back from a 6-4 loss to the Devils.
For the Rangers, the focus is on finding consistency without their former top scorer. Mika Zibanejad has taken the mantle with 62 points in 65 games and Alexis Lafrenière is showing his potential as a top-tier winger. The Rangers power play remains a bright spot as it ranks 6th in the league with a 24.24% success rate. If New York can stay out of the penalty box and let their special teams work, they have a chance to neutralize the Kings star power. Goaltending will be the deciding factor as Igor Shesterkin brings a .912 save percentage into this game while Darcy Kuemper looks to improve on his .897 mark for Los Angeles. Kuemper has 257 quality starts in his career and will need one of his best efforts tonight.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
The recent history between these two teams suggests a tight defensive battle. Both teams have struggled to score consistently this season with the Kings averaging 2.61 goals per game and the Rangers at 2.82. This low offensive output has led to several betting trends that favor the Under in recent weeks.
- The Under: The Under has hit in 12 of the Kings’ last 18 road games and in 5 of the last 6 head-to-head meetings between these teams.
- New York is 4-2 against the spread in their last six home appearances.
- The Under is 5-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings between these franchises.
- Los Angeles has won three of the last five games played at Madison Square Garden.
- The Rangers are 10-5 straight up when playing as home favorites this season.
- Home Struggles: The Rangers hold a 9-15-6 overall record at home this season.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Artemi Panarin | Over 1.5 Points at +140 |
| Anze Kopitar | Over 0.5 Goals at +185 |
| Mika Zibanejad | Over 2.5 Shots on Goal at -115 |
| Igor Shesterkin | Over 28.5 Saves at -110 |
Los Angeles Kings vs New York Rangers Pick & Model Projection
- Score Projection: Los Angeles Kings 3 – New York Rangers 2
- Pick: Los Angeles Kings Moneyline at +105
- Confidence: 4 out of 5
- Win Probability: Los Angeles Kings 54% and New York Rangers 46%
The Kings enter this game with a clear emotional advantage. The return of Artemi Panarin provides a spark that most mid-March games lack. When you combine that with the historic run of Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles feels like a team on a mission. While the Rangers have the home ice and a superior power play, their defensive numbers have been shaky lately. They allow 3.11 goals per game which is 20th in the league. The Kings possess the defensive structure to limit the Rangers offensive opportunities especially at even strength where Los Angeles has allowed only 143 goals this year. The goaltending duel between Shesterkin and Kuemper will be elite but the Kings depth and the Panarin factor should prove to be the difference maker.
From a betting perspective, the value lies with the road underdog. Getting the Kings at plus money when they have the superior point total and the most dangerous player on the ice is a rare opportunity. I also expect a low-scoring affair despite the individual talent because both coaches will emphasize a disciplined game plan to avoid giving up easy goals. The Kings have shown they can win tough games on the East Coast during this road trip and they should continue that trend tonight. Look for Panarin to record at least one point against his old squad as the Kings pull off the victory in a tightly contested 3-2 game. This is a strong spot to back the Kings on the moneyline and consider a small play on the Under 5.5 total goals.
