Los Angeles Kings (+150) @ Minnesota Wild
Los Angeles Kings (+150) over Minnesota Wild
The Los Angeles Kings have been playing some pretty uninspired hockey of late, after going on a 7 - 1 - 1 run they have cooled off considerably, winning only 1 of their last 6 games (1 - 3 - 2).
Due to this recent skid, the Kings find themselves at +150 facing the Minnesota Wild today, a team that they have dominated this season.
Game1 (December 13th) in Los Angeles ended up looking closer than it actually was due to some outstanding goaltending by Nick Backstrom, who stood on his head numerous times to make some outstanding saves. The Kings never trailed in the game, taking the early lead and never losing it. They out-shot the Wild 31 to 17 through the 1st two periods, and really only started letting up shots after they grabbed a 2 goal lead early in the 3rd.
The Kings won that one 3 - 1, but it could have been a lot uglier.
Game 2 (January 20th) in Minnesota WAS uglier for the Wild. Once again the Kings dominated play for the 1st two periods, out-shooting the Wild 26 - 14 en route to taking a 4 - 2 lead. Once again with the two goal lead secured, the Kings started playing more defensively and letting more shots come through, but none went in. A late O'Sullivan empty netter made it a 5 - 2 Kings victory; another game the Kings never trailed in.
Both of these teams play a very similar brand of hockey as both coaches preach defensive responsibility in every zone. Both teams like to wait for the other team to make a mistake. When they play against teams with different philosophies, the game can take all kinds of styles; but when they face like-minded opponents, the game is almost guaranteed to be a smart, defensive, strategic game in which the winner will tend to be the team to get the bounces. Judging by the first two games, the Kings have either received the bounces this season, or they play this style better than the Wild do. I'd lean towards bounces, but no matter how you slice it, these two teams match up a lot closer than +150/-170.
With both teams still in the hunt for a playoff spot (admittedly the Wild are in better shape), motivation should be equal on both sides and should not factor in. If anything, there is more pressure on the Wild in this game, who have already lost 2 key games to the Kings and don't want to drop a 3rd. More pressure tends to lead to trying too hard and making mistakes, which would be amplified in a game like this. I don't expect this to be a problem for the disciplined Wild, but you never know.
If you believe in value betting, there certainly is value to be had here. Long term at +150, this bet has to hit 41 times out of100 to turn a profit. Considering these two team's styles of play and the fact that in both of their meetings this year the Kings have dominated the first two periods of play to take a lead and in both games have held on to that lead, you have to consider them at least a 50/50 proposition here tonight; making them an excellent bet at +150.
The Play: LOS ANGELES KINGS +150
The Los Angeles Kings have been playing some pretty uninspired hockey of late, after going on a 7 - 1 - 1 run they have cooled off considerably, winning only 1 of their last 6 games (1 - 3 - 2).
Due to this recent skid, the Kings find themselves at +150 facing the Minnesota Wild today, a team that they have dominated this season.
Game1 (December 13th) in Los Angeles ended up looking closer than it actually was due to some outstanding goaltending by Nick Backstrom, who stood on his head numerous times to make some outstanding saves. The Kings never trailed in the game, taking the early lead and never losing it. They out-shot the Wild 31 to 17 through the 1st two periods, and really only started letting up shots after they grabbed a 2 goal lead early in the 3rd.
The Kings won that one 3 - 1, but it could have been a lot uglier.
Game 2 (January 20th) in Minnesota WAS uglier for the Wild. Once again the Kings dominated play for the 1st two periods, out-shooting the Wild 26 - 14 en route to taking a 4 - 2 lead. Once again with the two goal lead secured, the Kings started playing more defensively and letting more shots come through, but none went in. A late O'Sullivan empty netter made it a 5 - 2 Kings victory; another game the Kings never trailed in.
Both of these teams play a very similar brand of hockey as both coaches preach defensive responsibility in every zone. Both teams like to wait for the other team to make a mistake. When they play against teams with different philosophies, the game can take all kinds of styles; but when they face like-minded opponents, the game is almost guaranteed to be a smart, defensive, strategic game in which the winner will tend to be the team to get the bounces. Judging by the first two games, the Kings have either received the bounces this season, or they play this style better than the Wild do. I'd lean towards bounces, but no matter how you slice it, these two teams match up a lot closer than +150/-170.
With both teams still in the hunt for a playoff spot (admittedly the Wild are in better shape), motivation should be equal on both sides and should not factor in. If anything, there is more pressure on the Wild in this game, who have already lost 2 key games to the Kings and don't want to drop a 3rd. More pressure tends to lead to trying too hard and making mistakes, which would be amplified in a game like this. I don't expect this to be a problem for the disciplined Wild, but you never know.
If you believe in value betting, there certainly is value to be had here. Long term at +150, this bet has to hit 41 times out of100 to turn a profit. Considering these two team's styles of play and the fact that in both of their meetings this year the Kings have dominated the first two periods of play to take a lead and in both games have held on to that lead, you have to consider them at least a 50/50 proposition here tonight; making them an excellent bet at +150.
The Play: LOS ANGELES KINGS +150