Prediction, Preview, and Odds
#151 Vancouver Canucks vs.
#152 Los Angeles Kings
Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 10:05pm EDT
Staples Center, Los Angeles
Written by Mike Fink

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The Vancouver Canucks face the Los Angeles Kings with both teams looking to build off of recent hot streaks. The Canucks have a 29-33-5 record but have won seven of their last 10 games while the Kings have a 40-20-9 record and with back-to-back wins have leaped into second place in the Pacific Division. Both teams look to improve in the Western Conference and the upcoming game should be a great one as a result.

Canucks have been led by a great offense

The Canucks are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.34 goals per game with 12 goals in the last three games. Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Andrei Kuzmenko have scored 90 goals and 118 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, and Dakota Joshua have combined for 33 goals and 67 assists while defenseman Quinn Hughes has added five goals and 56 assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense has let the Canucks down this season, allowing 3.78 goals per game. Quinn Hughes and Tyler Myers have combined for 5.2 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Thatcher Demko has struggled with a .895 save percentage and a 3.40 goals-against average on 686 shots with -6.6 goals saved above average.

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Kings have been carried by great offense

The Kings are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.35 goals per game with nine goals in the last two games. Kevin Fiala, Anze Kopitar, and Adrian Kempe have scored 80 goals and 103 assists to lead the top two lines but the entire offense has stepped up this season. Phillip Danault, Viktor Arvidsson, and Gabriel Vilardi have combined for 59 goals and 74 assists while defensemen Drew Doughty and Matt Roy have added 14 goals and 53 assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.22 goals per game. Drew Doughty and Michael Anderson have combined for 8.9 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Joonas Korpisalo who has stepped up since being acquired at the trade deadline with a .929 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average on 84 shots.

Best Bets for this Game

Full-Game Side Bet

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The Kings are having a great season but the Canucks have looked great in recent games and look to step up on both ends of the ice. The Canucks, who average 3.34 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes near the net. The Canucks should also limit the Kings' offense with Quinn Hughes, Tyler Myers, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers at the blue line and limiting shooting lanes, allowing goaltender Thatcher Demko to make plenty of big saves. The Canucks should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.

Take the Canucks money line as road Underdogs.

Prediction: Canucks (+160)

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Full-Game Total Pick

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Both teams have been led by their offenses and the upcoming game should reflect that with both forwards units finding the back of the net at will. The Kings, who average 3.35 goals per game, should pile on the goals against the Canucks, who allow 3.78 goals per game, with Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick puck movement. The Canucks, who have scored 12 goals in the last three games, should run up the score against the Kings, who allow 3.22 goals per game, with Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, Andrei Kuzmenko, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while Quinn Hughes picks apart the Kings' defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game controlled by both offenses.

Take the Over on 6.5 goals.

Prediction: Over 6.5
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Written By Mayer Fink , "Mike Fink"

Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis. 
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