The Los Angeles Kings (6-6-0) are on the road to take on the Chicago Blackhawks (4-4-2), who will be looking to end their losing run, at United Center on Thursday. Los Angeles is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Stars on Tuesday. The Kings committed four penalties in the game, conceding three power play goals. Kevin Fiala and Arthur Kaliyev both scored once for the Kings. Cal Petersen saved only 35 of 40 shots against (.875%) in the loss.
Chicago lost for the fourth straight game, falling 3-1 to the Islanders on Tuesday. Jonathan Toews netted the lone goal for the Blackhawks. Alex Stalock didn’t allow a goal (2 saves) after starting in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Kings won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 4-1 victory in their final meeting in April. Alexander Edler and Adrian Kempe each had two points (0G 2A) to lead Los Angeles. Patrick Kane scored Chicago’s only goal. Jonathan Quick got the win, saving 15 of 16 shots (.937%).
FACING OFF
Los Angeles is averaging 3.50 goals per game for the season, eighth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blackhawks team that is allowing 3.30 goals a game (20th). Meanwhile, Chicago has found the net 3.20 times a game on average, 13th in the league, and the Kings are allowing opponents to score 3.92 goals per game (28th).
Chicago averages fewer shots/game (25.7) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 12.5% shooting percentage is third. Los Angeles has proven to be one of the league’s less successful shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 30 with a team save percentage of .881%.
Expect several power play opportunities for the Kings, as the Blackhawks have been penalized 5.30 times a game, fourth-most in the NHL, for an average of 13.40 minutes (third-highest). The visitors are averaging 5.00 penalties (seventh) and 10.25 penalty minutes a game (14th).
The Blackhawks’ 26.47% power play percentage ranks seventh in the league, while the Kings are 19th with a conversion rate of 20.75%. In terms of penalty killing, Los Angeles has the league’s 23rd-ranked PK% at 75.47%, while Chicago is 25th at 74.42%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Gabriel Vilardi (8G 5A) and Fiala (3G 10A) are the top skaters for the Kings this season with 13 points each, sixth-most in the NHL. Vilardi is among the league leaders in goals (2nd), while Fiala is among the league leaders in assists (4th). In the net, Quick (3-4-0) is Los Angeles’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.44 GAA and a .888% save percentage.
Kane leads the Blackhawks in scoring with 10 points. He has two goals and eight assists in 10 games. Stalock (3-2-1) has the best goals against average for Chicago at 2.95. He has a save percentage of .914%.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 4-3-0 on the road this season. Chicago is looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
LA Kings (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
