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Andrew Rogers
Kings vs. Golden Knights: Game 1 Prediction NHL Playoff Odds
The Vegas Golden Knights weren’t given much of a chance to make the postseason, let alone contend for the Stanley Cup – and yet, here they are, looking to do the improbable in their first season of existence. The Golden Knights kick off their first-ever playoff series Wednesday night against visiting Los Angeles – and the Kings know a thing or two about surprising people, having come out of nowhere to win a pair of Stanley Cup championships this decade.
Kings vs. Golden Knights Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
Vegas is not only a favorite to win the opener of this NHL matchup – oddsmakers have the Cinderella expansion darlings installed at -119 to prevail in the series. The Golden Knights have been red-hot at T-Mobile Arena – particularly against the cream of the crop, having won 10 of their previous 11 home contests versus teams with winning road records. But the teams split their four regular-season meetings, with the Kings prevailing in the final two encounters.
From a totals perspective, both teams coming in trending heavily toward the under in recent weeks. The Kings have gone below the number in six of their previous eight meetings against Pacific Division foes, while the Golden Knights are 1-5 O/U in their last six home games and have snuck under the total seven times in their past 10 games against divisional opponents. The teams also combined to post three unders and a push in their four regular-season meetings.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are a modest -100 underdog to upend the Golden Knights – but given how Los Angeles has fared previously as a low seed, that could be a bargain. Los Angeles won the Stanley Cup in 2012 as an 8-seed, and prevailed again in 2014 after finishing third in the Pacific Division. Anze Kopitar led the team in scoring with a career-best 92 points, and is a -137 favorite to record more points than Vegas sniper William Karlsson (+150) in the series.
Vegas Golden Knights
Congratulations to anyone who bet the Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup before the season began – though you might have to produce a ticket, because most people won’t believe you. Late to the party? You can take a shot on how many games Vegas will need to dispatch the Kings; you’ll get +1,200 odds on a Golden Knights sweep, +505 for Vegas to prevail in five games, +453 for the expansion team to win in six and +403 for a seven-game triumph.
