Los Angeles Kings vs New York Islanders Betting Picks

The Kings are looking to play faster and to be more offense-minded, having changed coaches and traded for Anze Kopitar. But producing goals has been a problem on the road for LA. The Kings lost, 2-1, in overtime on the road to the Bruins this past Tuesday in their last game. It was a tight checking game as this away game should be, too, given that the opponent is the Islanders. New York ranks sixth defensively, giving up 2.8 goals a game, while ranking 22nd in scoring and 29th on the power play. The Islanders are averaging two goals in regulation during their last four games. The Kings have scored 11 goals in regulation during their past six away games for an average of 1.8 goals per game during this span. LA will be facing Ilya Sorokin, one of the top goalies in the NHL. Sorokin is 24-14-2 with a 2.51 GAA, a .913 SV%, and a league-leading six shutouts this season. The Kings are 29th in scoring and 28th on the power play. Take the UNDER.

The Kings have changed coaches, but their offense remains anemic. LA scored two goals in interim coach D.J. Smith's debut against the Avalanche on Monday, and the Kings have scored two or fewer goals in regulation in eight of their last nine games. LA might not have its third leading scorer, Quinton Byfield. He missed the Colorado game with an upper-body injury. The Kings, however, rank ninth defensively. The Islanders are strong defensively, too. They are giving up the fourth fewest goals in the NHL at 2.7 per game. The Islanders are playing on consecutive nights after losing 5-1 to the Ducks on Wednesday. They are expected to have Ilya Sorokin back in net, who hasn't played since Feb. 28. Sorokin is a Vezina Trophy candidate with a 2.47 GAA and .915 save percentage. Take the UNDER. 

Los Angeles has won five of the past six meetings and the Kings are currently riding a five-game win streak after their 4-1 victory over Minnesota on Saturday. Darcy Kuemper stopped 22 of 23 shots and he is probable in net for the Kings, who have allowed only seven goals during the streak. New York has lost five of eight, although it does come off two wins against Carolina and Ottawa. The Islanders have won only 11 of 29 games this season and five of 13 at home. Los Angeles has won eight straight against the Metropolitan Division and five in a row overall versus teams that allowed two or fewer goals their previous game. The Islanders have lost six of seven against the Pacific Division and six of seven after allowing two or fewer goals their previous game. Take the Kings.