NHL Picks: Montreal Canadiens at LA Kings
Consider of all our logic and reasoning from last night’s win against the Montreal Canadiens, add a back to back, and substitute a team that has won four of five instead of nine in a row. It looks like an awfully similar equation, and I like the LA Kings to beat the Habs tonight.
The Canadiens are playing better, as evidenced by the overtime battle they just had on the road with one of the best teams in hockey. Now, however, they will insert a backup goalie for the man who kept them in the game all night and must overcome the disappointing fatigue that comes with a shootout loss.
Moreover, trips out west just beat Eastern Conference teams up. Back to backs on road trips out west are even more grueling. Back to backs with overtime against two great teams on the road out west are nearly impossible. From a practical perspective, even if the Habs have something left in the tank, they are the inferior team to begin with.
The LA Kings are not a team I trust. Right before this surge, I bet against them and consistently won while this offense was really struggling. Now, however, anchored in their defense and goaltending, the offense has been productive enough to turn things around. On home ice against a vulnerable team, however, I just can’t help myself.
Z-Code agrees, with 4.5 stars of value and a 72% likelihood for the LA Kings to come away with the victory. The score predictor expects a blowout, 4-1, and I agree but do not trust the LA Kings offense as much as the computer seems to.
Kings 3 – Habs 0
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