The Los Angeles Kings (3-2-0) travel to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (2-0-1), who will be looking to remain undefeated, at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday. Los Angeles is coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Predators on Tuesday, their third win in a row. The Kings committed six penalties in the game, though they held Nashville without a power play goal. Matt Roy was the top goalscorer for the Kings with two goals. Cal Petersen saved 29 of 32 shots in the win. Pittsburgh fell 3-2 (OT) to the Canadiens on Monday. Evgeni Malkin scored twice to lead the Penguins. Casey DeSmith saved 36 of 39 shots in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Kings won both games between the teams last season, including a 4-3 victory in their final meeting in January, their third straight win against Pittsburgh. Trevor Moore (2G 0A) and Anze Kopitar (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Los Angeles. Petersen got the win despite allowing three goals on 26 shots (.884%).
FACING OFF
Los Angeles is averaging 3.80 goals per game so far this season, 11th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Penguins team that is allowing 2.33 goals a game (7th). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has found the net 4.67 times a game on average, third in the league, and the Kings are allowing opponents to score 4.20 goals per game (27th). Pittsburgh averages more shots (42.0) than any other team in the league. With an average of 32.4 attempts, Los Angeles ranks 16th.Power play opportunities should be plentiful for the Penguins, as the Kings are averaging 6.20 penalties per game, second-most in the NHL. The visitors’ 13.00 penalty minutes a game ranks seventh-highest. The home team has been penalized 4.33 times a game (13th) for an average of 8.67 minutes (10th). The Penguins’ 30.77% power play percentage ranks 10th in the league, while the Kings are 20th with a conversion rate of 15.38%. In terms of penalty killing, Los Angeles has the league’s 20th-ranked PK% at 76.92%, while Pittsburgh is 27th at 66.67%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With seven points this season, fifth-most in the NHL, Gabriel Vilardi is the top skater for the Kings. He is among the league leaders with four goals (2nd) and has added three assists. In the net, Jonathan Quick (1-2-0) is Los Angeles’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.73 GAA and a .895% save percentage. Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring with six points. He has two goals and four assists in three games. Tristan Jarry (2-0-0) has the best goals against average for Pittsburgh at 2.02. He has a save percentage of .938%.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is looking to remain unbeaten on the road this season. Pittsburgh is undefeated at PPG Paints Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
