The Los Angeles Kings (7-6-1) play host to the Minnesota Wild (5-5-1) at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. Minnesota is kicking off a four-game road trip coming off a 4-0 loss against the Kraken on Thursday. The Wild committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal.
Marc-Andre Fleury saved only 19 of 23 shots against (.826%) in the loss. Los Angeles beat the Panthers 5-4 on Saturday. Five players found the net for the Kings. Jonathan Quick only stopped 34 of 38 shots (.894%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Kings won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 7-6 victory in October. Adrian Kempe (2G 1A), Kevin Fiala (1G 2A), and Anze Kopitar (0G 3A) each had three points to lead Los Angeles. Mats Zuccarello led Minnesota with three points (1G 2A). Cal Petersen got the win despite saving only 29 of 35 shots (.828%).
FACING OFF
Minnesota is averaging 3.09 goals per game for the season, 17th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Kings team that is allowing 3.79 goals a game (27th). Meanwhile, Los Angeles has found the net 3.43 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Wild are allowing opponents to score 3.64 goals per game (25th).
Don’t be surprised to see several power play opportunities for the Kings, as the Wild are averaging 5.00 penalties per game, fifth-most in the NHL. The visitors’ 12.55 penalty minutes a game ranks sixth-highest.
The home team has been penalized 4.57 times a game (13th) for an average of 9.57 minutes (18th). The Wild’s 27.03% power play percentage ranks sixth in the league, while the Kings are 23rd with a conversion rate of 19.67%.
In terms of defending power plays, Los Angeles has the league’s 20th-ranked PK% at 76.79%, while Minnesota is 25th at 73.53%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 13 and 12 points this season, Kirill Kaprizov and Zuccarello have been the top skaters for the Wild. Kaprizov is among the league leaders with his eight goals (5th). In the net, Fleury (5-2-1) is Minnesota’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.41 GAA and a .888% save percentage.
Gabriel Vilardi and Fiala lead the Kings in scoring with 14 points apiece. Vilardi has nine goals (5th) and five assists in 14 games, while Fiala has three goals and 11 assists (10th). Quick (3-4-1) has the best goals against average for Los Angeles at 3.26. He has a save percentage of .889%.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 3-1-1 on the road this season. Los Angeles is 3-3-0 at Crypto.com Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
LA Kings -1.5 (+220)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
