Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and prediction
The Los Angeles Kings (0-1-2) will again play host to the Colorado Avalanche (2-1-0) Thursday. The puck will drop at Staples Center at 10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Avalanche-Kings NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Avs beat the Kings 3-2 Tuesday.
Avalanche at Kings: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line : Avalanche -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Kings +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
- Against the spread/ATS : Avalanche -1.5 (+115) | Kings +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under : 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Avalanche at Kings: Projected starting goalies
Philipp Grubauer (2-1-0, .923 SV%, 2.01 GAA) vs. Jonathan Quick (0-0-2, .887 SV%, 3.73 GAA)
Grubauer is expected to remain in net with backup Pavel Francouz still sidelined by a lower-body injury. The veteran stopped 23 of 25 shots in a win over the Kings Tuesday, and he already has a shutout on the season over the St. Louis Blues.
Quick has allowed 4 goals in each of his two appearances, but he has gotten his team to overtime in both games. Backup Cal Petersen stopped 21 of 24 shots in Tuesday's loss to the Avs.
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Avalanche at Kings: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Colorado 5, Kings 2
Money line (ML)
Colorado (-250) is a heavy money line favorite so we'll PASS in favor of better value on the spread. The Avalanche were unlucky to come away with just a 1-goal victory Tuesday while registering 18 scoring chances at 5-on-5 to just 11 for the Kings.
The Avs went 2-for-6 with the man advantage Tuesday; the Kings were 1-for-3. An inferior L.A. team can't afford to be providing free opportunities to Colorado.
Against the spread (ATS)
Take the AVALANCHE -1.5 (+115) with some value for a win by 2 or more goals. The Kings started the season with back-to-back overtime losses to the Minnesota Wild, and they suffered another 1-goal loss Tuesday but the Avs have too much offensive talent for another nailbiter against a Western Conference cellar dweller.
A larger sample size is needed, but it's very possible Petersen is the better of the two Los Angeles goalies at this point.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 5.5 (-115) with the expectation of Colorado doing most of the work to get there. Quick is struggling early in the season, and the Avs already have an 8-0 victory on their resume.
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