Los Angeles Kings vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds

Liam Gilks | Updated Oct 17, 2024

NHL: Los Angeles Kings at Buffalo Sabres

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The Los Angeles Kings continue their season-opening seven-game road trip Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.

Los Angeles
16-8-2-1
AT
October 17, 2024, 7:00 PM ET
Bell Centre
Montreal
10-14-2-1
Puckline -1.5 +170
Moneyline -140
Over / Under o +6
Matchup Odds
Puckline +1.5 -210
Moneyline +115
Over / Under u +6
Matchup Odds

After opening the season with a win, the Kings have fallen short in three consecutive games, dropping them to 1-3 on the year. Montreal will be well-rested and looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Pittsburgh on Monday.  

The NHL odds have Los Angeles as -125 favourites to win with the total set at 6.0 goals. Puck drop from Centre Bell is set for 7 p.m. ET. 

Kings vs. Canadiens NHL Betting Odds

These squads met in a two-game season series last year in which the Kings dominated, beating the Habs 4-0 in both games. Not only did the Canadiens not score a goal against the Kings last year, they were outshot by twelve or more in both outings and did not register over 20 shots in either game. Montreal has been losing to the Kings for a few seasons now with their last win coming in November of 2019, a span of six games.  

The Kings were on a streak of covering the spread in three straight games before getting slapped by the Leafs on Wednesday. They now boast a 3-1 record ATS and have played back-to-back games to the OVER.  

Montreal’s two wins have come from defensive hockey, holding opponents to just a goal or less in both games. They are 2-2 ATS and 2-2 on the OVER/UNDER so far, potting a total of 12 goals in four games. 

Los Angeles Kings

L.A.’s seven-game season-opening road trip seems to be wearing on the Kings early in the season. After giving up eight goals in Ottawa on Monday afternoon, a day off on Tuesday did not prepare L.A. for the Leafs on Wednesday. The game went downhill fast for the Kings as they gave up three goals in the first period and two more in the second for a 5-0 deficit headed to the final 20 minutes. Alex Turcotte (1) and Kevin Fiala (3) added tallies in the third, but it was too little too late as the Leafs scored another in the final minutes for a 6-2 final.  

There have only been a few positives for L.A. early this season, one of which is captain Anze Kopitar is still producing, posting six points through four games. The 37-year-old put up 70 points last year in his 18th NHL season.  

The other positive is rookie Brandt Clarke, who has a point per game so far, stepping up big-time in the absence of Drew Doughty.  

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal’s slow start came back to bite them on Monday night’s 6-3 loss to the Penguins. Pittsburgh scored twice in the first 15 minutes before the Canadiens found their legs and Kaiden Guhle scored his first of the season. Juraj Slafkovsky added his first of the year as well in the second period, followed by Emil Heineman (2) who gave the Habs a 3-2 lead. The Pens rallied back with three unanswered in the third to send the Habs home with a 6-3 loss.  

Rookie defenceman Lane Hutson has Habs fans raving once again after putting up four points in as many games this season. He has moved up the NHL Futures Board with the third-shortest odds to win the Calder Trophy at +450. He looked good compared to the veteran Penguins, despite the minus-4 on his stat line. He logged a career-high 24:45 of ice time while driving a lot of the Canadiens offence. 

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Kings vs. Canadiens?

NHL Predictions
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  • LA
  • -140 +115
  • MON
Matchup NHL Odds