The NHL’s nine-game MLK Day slate closes out with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings.
The pregame narrative: The Kings return home for the first time since Jan. 4 as they look to keep pace in the Pacific Division. I’m backing Los Angeles to get the win and put up goals against the Penguins’ awful defence. Additionally, I have a play on Kevin Fiala’s shots on goal prop.
Check out my Penguins vs. Kings picks for Jan. 20.
Penguins vs. Kings picks
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Best bet: Fiala over 2.5 shots (-150)
You’re going to sense a common theme throughout this article, and it’s that the Penguins haven’t been able to stop a beach ball this season.
One of the many causes of this has been the quantity — and quality — of shots they allow per game.
According to Natural Stat Trick, Pittsburgh allows the sixth-most scoring chances per 60 (29.4).
Fiala has tallied three-plus shots in five straight games, which includes a 10-shot outburst against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.
The 2014 first-round draftee is having a down year in terms of points. After three straight seasons hitting the 70-point mark, he’s on pace for just 50 this year.
With three points and 13 shots in his last two games, though, this could be the start of a turnaround Fiala’s been looking for.
Key stat: Pittsburgh ranks 29th in shots allowed/game (31.1).
Quick picks
Kings 60-min moneyline (-112): Los Angeles’ defence is elite and is far superior to Pittsburgh’s offence. Plus, the Kings can score in bunches.
The Kings rank highly in every defensive category:
- 2nd in goals (2.42/game)
- 1st in shots (24.7/game)
- 5th in penalty kill percentage (83.2%)
- 2nd in high-danger chances (9.87/game)
The Kings have also been dominant at home this season.
- Home: 14-2-1, +25 goal differential
- Away: 11-11-4, -2 goal differential
Pittsburgh has lost four of its last five games, with the only win coming against the last-place Buffalo Sabres.
Kings over 3.5 goals (+110): I’m choosing this play over the regular game total because I simply don’t trust the Penguins’ offence versus the Kings.
Both Pittsburgh goaltenders have been dreadful this season. Alex Nedeljkovic and Joel Blomqvist collectively allow the most goals per game (3.65), and have the fifth-lowest save percentage (.891).
In the Pens’ past eight games, they’ve allowed over 3.5 goals six times.
I expect the trend to continue tonight in an extremely tough road environment.
Picks made at 11:10 a.m. ET on 01/20/2025.
