Golden Knights vs. Kings NHL Picks, Predictions: Value on Home Team
The Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings will face off in L.A. on Tuesday night as the puck drops on the 2022-23 NHL season.
The Golden Knights surprisingly missed the playoffs last season due to some injuries and underperformances. They didn’t get much better in the offseason, either, with goaltender Robin Lehner out for the season and forward Max Pacioretty shipped out to Carolina.
On the other side, the Kings nearly upset the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of last year’s playoffs. They return much of their same group while adding Kevin Fiala for some more scoring up front.
Here are my NHL picks and predictions for Tuesday’s Golden Knights vs. Kings matchup (odds via BetMGM, DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Golden Knights vs. Kings Game Info
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 10 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN, SN1
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Golden Knights vs. Kings Odds
Golden Knights vs. Kings Odds Analysis
The Kings are slight favorites at home at -120 at most major sportsbooks. The Kings are at even money across the board as well.
The total is at the standard six goals with the Over favored slightly.
Golden Knights vs. Kings Picks
- Kings ML (-120 via BetMGM)
- Over 6 (-115 via DraftKings)
- Drew Doughty Over 0.5 points (+100 via DraftKings)
Golden Knights vs. Kings Moneyline Pick
Kings (-120) ★★★★
The Kings only being slight favorites at home to open the season is a bit surprising. Perhaps the Golden Knights are still carrying some of that shine from their first few seasons, but this isn’t the same Vegas team.
They’ve replaced Pacioretty with veteran winger Phil Kessel. That may have been a fine move a decade ago, but not now. Center Brett Howden is playing on their second line. Oh yeah, Logan Thompson is now their starting goalie. He’s been fine in a small sample size, but it’s going to be something to watch. The Golden Knights may be a team to fade this season given the odds on opening night.
Los Angeles has also only gotten better. They brought in Fiala to add to their top-six depth and now have a solid two or three lines that can produce. Defenceman Drew Doughty is back after missing the end of last season with an injury, and the all-important Jonathan Quick is in net.
Golden Knights vs. Kings O/U Pick
Over 6 (-115) ★★★
Vegas’ goalie situation is up in the air with the unproven Thompson in net. The Kings' added offensive firepower should mean they’re good for at least three or four goals, with the Golden Knights still having enough talent in Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and others to get a few themselves.
Historical trends aren’t always the best indicator, but these teams tend to play to the Over. All four meetings last season went Over, including a 6-2 Kings win on Oct. 14 early in the season. The Over is 16-5 in the last 21 meetings.
Golden Knights vs. Kings Prop Pick
Doughty Over 0.5 points (+100) ★★★
Doughty missed a lot of time last season, but he was very effective when healthy. He had 31 points in 39 games with at least one point in 22 of those games (56%). Doughty especially enjoyed playing against Vegas, he scored a point against the Knights in each game, including four in the first meeting.
Doughty should play around 20 or 25 minutes on the top pair and power-play unit. I’ll gladly take this at even money.
Where to bet on Golden Knights vs. Kings Picks
Golden Knights-Kings picks from 10/11/2022 at 12:35 p.m. ET.
