Washington Capitals (43-14-8) vs. Los Angeles Kings (34-20-9)
The NHL betting action goes on Thursday, March 13, 2025, with the nine-game card, including the cross-conference clash from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, so we’ve got the best Capitals vs. Kings prediction.
The Caps meet the Kings for the second and final time this regular season. Back in December, the Capitals outlasted the Kings 3-1 as -165 home favorites. Let’s take a closer look at this Washington vs. Los Angeles prediction, one of our NHL picks for Thursday night.
The Capitals aim for their sixth straight win
The Washington Capitals bounced back from their first three-game losing streak of the season in style. After consecutive losses against Calgary 3-1, St. Louis 5-2, and Tampa Bay 3-1, the Caps have won five games in a row. Last Tuesday, Washington started a three-game road trip with a 7-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.
The Capitals outshot the Ducks 43-29 on the night. Aliaksei Protas recorded his first NHL hat trick, while Alex Ovechkin accounted for three assists. Logan Thompson posted 25 saves, advancing to 28-4-5 on the season.
Thompson boasts a 2.36 GAA and a .916 save percentage in 2024-25, while Charlie Lindgren is 15-10-3 with a 2.64 GAA and a .899 save percentage. The Capitals allow 2.58 goals per game (3rd in the NHL) and score 3.66 goals in return (1st). They are topping the Metropolitan Division, 12 points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Kings eye the fourth straight W
The Los Angeles Kings stopped a five-game slide with a 2-1 overtime victory to the St. Louis Blues last Saturday. On Sunday, the Kings outlasted the Vegas Golden Knights 6-5 on the road, and two days later, Los Angeles beat the New York Islanders 4-1 at home.
The Islanders outshot the Kings 34-32 and had eight power-play opportunities, but it wasn’t enough. Darcy Kuemper posted 33 saves, Quinton Byfield scored a shorthanded goal to give the Kings a 3-1 lead, and Drew Doughty sealed the victory with an empty-netter.
Kuemper is 20-8-7 with a 2.29 GAA and a .915 save percentage this season, while David Rittich is 13-12-2 with a 2.75 GAA and a .887 save percentage. The Kings allow 2.63 goals per game (5th in the league) and score 2.86 goals in return (18th). They are third in the Pacific Division, one point behind the Edmonton Oilers and seven points ahead of the Calgary Flames.
Best Bets for Washington Capitals vs. Los Angeles Kings
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Kings just killed all of the Islanders’ eight power-play opportunities. Los Angeles is a top-notch defensive team, but the Capitals are arguably a better offensive unit than the Kings. Hereof, I have to take the Caps at plus money.
Washington is a great defensive team, too. Logan Thompson is having a wonderful season, so I expect the Kings’ offense to struggle in this matchup. Of course, Darcy Kuemper could easily make a difference, but I think there is value on the Capitals in this game.
The Kings outshot the Caps 26-21 in their first meeting of the season. But Logan Thompson had a big game in the crease, and Aliaksei Protas scored two goals for Washington. David Rittich guarded the cage for LA.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
We saw just four goals in the first meeting of the season between these two teams, and the Capitals sealed the win with an empty-netter. Although Washington boasts the highest-scoring offense in the NHL, I don’t expect a firecracker when the Caps visit the Kings.
I mentioned how good these two teams have defended so far this season. Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper are both among the best goaltenders in the league, and the Kings will certainly look to slow things down as much as possible in this matchup. Los Angeles is well aware of Washington’s offensive prowess.
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