Free NHL Picks Today: Los Angeles Kings vs Nashville Predators 3/11/23

The Nashville Predators (31-24-7) head to take on the Los Angeles Kings (38-20-8), who will be out to build on their winning run, at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. Nashville is coming off a 4-1 loss against the Coyotes on Thursday.

The Predators committed five penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Cody Glass was the only player to find the net for the Predators. Juuse Saros had a terrific performance with 39 saves (.928%) in the loss.

Los Angeles is playing the first of seven games at home after a 5-2 win over the Avalanche on Thursday, their fifth win in a row. Phillip Danault and Adrian Kempe both scored twice for the Kings. Joonas Korpisalo was impressive in the win, making 28 saves (.933%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 5-3 victory for the Predators in January. Roman Josi led Nashville with three points (0G 3A).

Sean Durzi (1G 1A) and Anze Kopitar (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Los Angeles. Saros got the win, saving 31 of 34 shots (.911%).

FACING OFF

Nashville is averaging 2.84 goals per game for the season, 25th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Kings team that is allowing 3.30 goals a game (22nd).

Meanwhile, Los Angeles has found the net 3.35 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Predators are allowing opponents to score 2.94 goals per game (12th).

The Kings’ 24.22% power play percentage is the fifth-best in the league, while the Predators rank 25th with a conversion rate of 18.37%. When it comes to penalty killing, Nashville has the league’s 13th-ranked PK% at 81.34%, while Los Angeles is 23rd at 76.00%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 56 and 51 points this season, Josi and Matt Duchene have been the top skaters for the Predators. In the net, Saros (24-17-6) is Nashville’s top goaltender.

He has a 2.75 GAA and a .917% save percentage.Kevin Fiala leads the Kings in scoring with 68 points. He has 22 goals and 46 assists.

Pheonix Copley (20-4-2) has the best goals against average for Los Angeles at 2.76. He has a save percentage of .899%. Jonathan Quick (12-13-4) has played the most games in net for the Kings this season. He has a 3.48 GAA and a .877% save percentage.