by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: TNT, MAX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Panthers +105, Kings -125; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Panthers +105, Kings -125; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Panthers +105, Kings -125; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Season Record
Florida Panthers: 27-17-3 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)
Los Angeles Kings: 25-14-5 (3rd place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Florida Panthers: 5-4-1 last 10
Los Angeles Kings: 6-4-0 last 10
Florida Panthers vs Los Angeles Kings Preview and Analysis
The Panthers are entering this game with 57 points, a 27-17-3 record overall, and they are 14-8-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Anaheim Ducks in their last game, winning that one at home 3-0, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with another game against the Anaheim Ducks still to be played on Tuesday night. In their 1st game against the Ducks, Jesper Boqvist, Gustav Forsling, and Anton Lundell each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Spencer Knight, Dmitry Kulikov, and Tomáš Nosek each led the team in assists with 1 while Sam Bennett led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Spencer Knight was the starting goalie in that game and he recorded the shutout as he allowed 0 goals on 34 shots with 34 saves and a 1.000 save percentage. Their offense has scored 153 goals this season averaging 3.3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 142 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.
The Kings are entering this game with 55 points, a 25-14-5 record overall, and they are 14-3-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their last game, losing that one at home 5-1. Adrian Kempe scored 1 goal for them in that one. Anže Kopitar and Jordan Spence each led the team in assists with 1 while Adrian Kempe led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. David Rittich was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 5 goals on 32 shots with 27 saves and a .844 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 129 goals this season averaging 2.9 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 110 goals against them allowing 2.5 goals per game.
Panthers vs Kings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Kings listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Kings have looked really good in their games this season with their 25-14-5 record overall which has them in 3rd place of their division in the West. They have looked great on home ice this season too with their 14-3-1 home record. Meanwhile, the Panthers have looked really good in their games this season with their 27-17-3 record overall which has them in 2nd place of their division in the East. They have been a good road team too with their 14-8-1 road record, but they aren't in a great situation for this game. They are coming off a win over the Ducks in their last one, but the Ducks have been one of the worst teams in the NHL this season and the Panthers are only 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. They are also playing this game on a back-to-back with another game against the Ducks on Tuesday. The Kings are going to be rested for this game though and they are coming off a bad 5-1 loss to the Penguins in their last one so they will be looking to bounce back here. The Kings haven't lost many games at home this season so they are going to bring their best effort after losing to one of the worst teams in the NHL, especially since they are playing the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Kings will be looking to bounce back on home ice where they have been so good all season and they can take advantage of the Panthers in a bad situation here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Kings to win this game.
Panthers Kings Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Wednesday, January 22, 2025 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Kings 3 Panthers 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Florida Panthers: 28-24 (+14.2 units) on the moneyline as an underdog. 101-74 (+12.1 units) on the moneyline against good passing teams - averaging 5 or more assists per game. 143-96 (+11.3 units) on the moneyline against mistake free teams - opponents average 4 power plays/game or less. 96-74 UNDER against good passing teams - averaging 5 or more assists per game.
Los Angeles Kings: 117-100 (-6.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 20-27 (-10.1 units) on the moneyline when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 64-68 (-10.9 units) on the moneyline against good offensive teams - averaging 29.5+ shots on goal per game. 7-3 UNDER after a blowout loss by 4 goals or more in their previous game.
Key Injuries
Florida Panthers: A. Ekblad (D) Day To Day - Undisclosed. J. Gadjovich (LW) Day To Day - Upper-body.
Los Angeles Kings: D. Doughty (D) Day To Day - Ankle. A. Laferriere (RW) Out - Upper-body.
Notable Quotes
"He skated this morning and was better, so we're pretty excited about that." - Paul Maurice on the injury to Aaron Ekblad.
"Disappointing on a night like tonight. I can probably count maybe only five times I've been disappointed in our team this season. Tonight is one, maybe the most." - Jim Hiller after his team’s loss against the Penguins in their game on Monday.
Starting Lineups
Florida Panthers
LW Matthew Tkachuk
C Aleksander Barkov
RW Sam Reinhart
LD Gustav Forsling
RD Dmitry Kulikov
G Spencer Knight
Los Angeles Kings
LW Alex Turcotte
C Anze Kopitar
RW Adrian Kempe
LD Mikey Anderson
RD Vladislav Gavrikov
G David Rittich
Statistical Leaders
Florida Panthers
Points: S. Reinhart (51)
Goals: S. Reinhart (27)
Assists: A. Barkov (27)
GAA: S. Knight (2.45)
Los Angeles Kings
Points: A. Kopitar (43)
Goals: A. Kempe (23)
Assists: A. Kopitar (31)
GAA: D. Kuemper (2.10)
Coaches:
Florida Panthers: Paul Maurice (3rd season)
Los Angeles Kings: Jim Hiller (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
