NHL Odds, Expert Pick & Prediction: Kings vs. Devils (February 23)

Kings vs. Devils Odds

The New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings are set to meet for the second time this season. Both teams are coming off losses in their most recent games and would both love to get back in the win column.

The Devils got the best of the Kings in the first meeting, but they are going to have to slow down this high-flying LA offense if they want another win. The Kings have scored 23 goals in their past five games, so they are coming to the East Coast feeling pretty good about themselves.

Can the Devils contain the Kings' offense?

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are In the midst of a very tight playoff race in the Pacific Division. They're in second place with 71 points, but the Kraken are just one point behind them with a game in hand.

The Kings weren't able to keep their offensive touch going in their most recent game in Minnesota, as the Wild held them to just one goal on 34 shots. However, scoring hasn't really been an issue for the Kings this season as they are averaging 3.31 goals per game.

The Kings biggest crutch is their defense. They are allowing 3.34 goals against per game and that is largely due to an inconsistent goaltending duo of Pheonix Copley and Jonathan Quick. Los Angeles hasn't announced a starter yet, but Copley has been the better of the two lately with an impressive 17-4-1 record, a .904 save percentage and a 2.67 goals against average. Quick is skating to a 10-12-4 record with a .878 save percentage and a 3.49 goals against average.

If the Kings are going to compete with this offensively gifted Devils squad, they are going to need top-notch goaltending.

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils had a very frustrating loss at home against the Montreal Canadiens and are doing everything they can to try and catch the Carolina Hurricanes at the top of the Metropolitan Division.

The Devils have won three of their past five games, but all of those have been relatively close. New Jersey certainly has the edge in goaltending in this matchup, but it hasn't announced a starter for this game.

Dawson Mercer has been carrying the Devils lately, scoring five goals and tallying one assist in the team's past five games. However, New Jersey needs more from Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. Those two have led New Jersey throughout the season, but have quieted down a bit lately. Hughes has four assists and no goals in the past five games and Bratt has three goals with zero assists in that same span.

If New Jersey is going to win this game, it'll need its best players to produce.

Kings vs. Devils Pick

Both the Devils and Kings have looked good in their past 10 games, but the Kings travel schedule might cause them some fatigue against a very fast and skilled New Jersey team.

The Devils have responded well after bad losses all season and their last game — a home loss against a weak Canadiens squad — could definitely be considered a bad loss.

I believe New Jersey has the better and more consistent goaltending in this matchup, and that it is statistically the better offensive and defensive team. I know there is a little bit of juice, but I like the Devils to win this game outright.

Pick: New Jersey Moneyline

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