Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks: Division Rivals Face Off for the First of Four Times

• The Los Angeles Kings have won five of their last six games.

• The Vancouver Canucks have won three of their last four games.

• This Canucks were 2-0-1 against the Kings last year.

Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks Odds

Odds Taken from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks Predictions and Picks

Los Angeles Kings beat Vancouver Canucks 5-3

Vancouver Canucks cover

Head-to-Head: Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks

Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks Predictions and Picks

The Los Angeles Kings will face the Vancouver Canucks in the only game of the day. These teams play in the same division and will face each other three additional times this year.

The Kings have major defensive and goaltending issues but have been playing outstanding hockey lately and have won five of their last six games. In this six-game stretch, the Los Angeles defense has stepped up several times, but the offense has also played its part. The Kings are averaging 3.33 goals per game in this time.

The Kings do not have any stars on their roster but have a few efficient players in Kevin Fiala, Trevor Moore, Gabriel Vilardi, and Anze Kopitar.  Kevin Fiala had a slower start and only had five points in his first seven games. However, the winger turned a corner after that and now leads the team with 18 points. Trevor Moore has also been instrumental in the Kings’ early success. Moore plays over 18 minutes a game and has five goals and ten assists (tied for the most on the team). Gabriel Vilardi has played surprisingly well this year. Vilardi had a mediocre season last year but leads the Kings with ten goals this one. Finally, we have captain Anze Kopitar. Kopitar has been on the Kings for over ten years and will likely spend his whole career in Los Angeles. The 35-year-old is somehow still managing to play over 20 minutes a game. Kopitar has not been much of a scorer this season but has 11 assists.

Jonathan Quick is still the #1 goaltender for the Kings. He did not play in their previous game but has started almost ⅔ of them. Quick has shown flashes of dominance but is inconsistent. In his last start, he gave up six goals. However, in his start before that, he gave up one goal on 32 shots. The Kings need Quick needs to find consistency in the net.

The Canucks are off to a rough start. They lost their first seven games (five in regulation) and are yet to go on a winning streak. The Canucks have a decent group of wingers and centers, but their defensemen and goaltenders are subpar. Their defense allows over four goals a game, and both of their netminders have save percentages below .900.

This Canucks squad does not have much depth but has some impressive players in Bo Horvat, Elias Peterson, J.T. Miller, and Quinn Hughes. Bo Horvat and Elias Peterson have different skills, but both have 20 points. J.T. Miller is a little less impressive but has ten goals, and Quinn Hughes is an intelligent defenseman with 14 assists.

Thatcher Demko and Spencer Martin make up the Canuck’s goaltending duo. Demko is the #1, but Martin has been performing better. He may take over the #1 role soon. Regardless of who is receiving the majority of the starts, neither netminder is strong at their position. 

The Kings are hot right now and the better team, so they will win.

Why Might the Los Angeles Kings Win?

The Kings will likely win, but only if they slow down Bo Horvat and avoid committing penalties.

Bo Horvat is having a superb season. The Canadian center has 14 goals, the second-most in the league, and has put the puck in the back of the net five times in the last five games. The Kings’ defensemen need to make Horvat priority #1.

The Kings are going up against a Canucks team that is dominant on the power play. The Canucks are converting almost 30% of their power play opportunities, and nearly ⅓ of their total goals have come with a man advantage. The Kings have to limit their scoring opportunities by not committing penalties.

Why Might the Vancouver Canucks Win?

The Canucks have a tough matchup on their hands tonight but can win if they play tough defense and shoot as much as possible.

The Canucks do not have a solid group of defensemen but need to act as they do. The Vancouver defensemen must bring their A-game tonight and play aggressive defense.

The Canucks will face one of the Kings’ inconsistent goalies. They need to hope the Los Angeles goalie is having an off night and shooting as much as possible.

Kings Key Players: (C) Trevor Moore

Trevor Moore only has five goals on the season, but three of them came in the Kings’ previous game against the Edmonton Oilers. The Los Angeles native finished with a hat trick and scored all of Los Angeles’ goals.

Moore needs to take his momentum from the last game and bring it to this game. He can set the tone with the right energy.

Canucks Key Player: (C) J.T. Miller

J.T. Miller is a talented player but has had a negative impact on the Canucks this year. Miller has 16 points but also has a +/- of -8.

Miller has to be more mindful of how he can help his teammates on the ice. If he does, the Canucks will become a better team.

How to Watch Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks

• What - Los Angeles Kings vs Vancouver Canucks

• Where - Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia

• When - Friday, November 18, 10:00 PM EST

• How to Watch - NHLPP, ESPN+