NHL Picks: LA Kings at Washington Capitals
I do not like the LA Kings. I don’t really try to hide my hatred, either. I am a fan of the New Jersey Devils and the officiating in that Stanley Cup was among the worst I’ve ever seen. To lose on a retaliation boarding following a missed call against Gionta is something I will never let go of. Moreover, the fans of the LA Kings, and even their organization through social media and other venues, proved themselves to be a big bag of dicks.
As such, I was pretty happy when my Devils shut them out two days ago. More importantly, it was proof of how difficult it is for a west coast team to have a successful road trip out east – particularly when that trip begins with a back to back in New York. Well, the trip continues and so too does the mediocre play from the LA Kings. Now they face the best team in hockey, handicapped by their schedule.
The Washington Capitals are having quite a season. Braden Holtby is probably the best goalie in the NHL this year and the Alexander Ovechkin offense is finally clicking. They added the right depth pieces and have enough defense behind them to beat any team. It’s been a great year.
So when I look at this game, I see a middling offense that is already completely exhausted out east. The LA Kings aren’t playing their best hockey, and they aren’t really scoring. The Kings should be feeling the effects of fatigue even if this wasn’t part of a long road trip. As such, the better team, at home, has a host of advantages and the line is only -130.
Z-Code gives a 55% chance of victory to the home team. I like it, too.
Caps 3 – Kings 1
P.S. Upgrade to Zcode VIP Club and Unlock All Winning Picks. Instant Access.
