Kings vs. Sharks – As the regular season of NHL continues to heat up, an exciting matchup between Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks will take place on Tuesday. With Los Angeles holding an impressive 16-6-4 record and San Jose currently sitting at 9-18-3 records respectively, this matchup should provide fans and bettors alike with expert NHL picks not to be missed!
Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 10:30 PM ET
Location: SAP Center at San Jose
TV: ESP+
Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puckline | Total |
| Kings | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Sharks | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Los Angeles Kings Analysis
The Kings offense has been firing on all cylinders during their recent hot stretch. Their attack is led by veterans Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe, who both have 26 points on the year. Kopitar is averaging nearly a point per game while Kempe leads the team with 17 assists. Recent addition Kevin Fiala has also made an immediate impact with his playmaking ability, recording a team-high 20 assists so far. This offensive firepower should be able to take advantage of the Sharks’ porous defense which gives up 3.67 goals per game. If the Kings get going early, it could be a long night for San Jose.
In net, Cam Talbot has provided steady goaltending for Los Angeles this season. Through 19 starts, he boasts a 12-5-2 record along with a 2.03 GAA and .927 save percentage. The Sharks offense doesn’t pack much of a scoring punch, ranking near the bottom of the league in goals per game. Talbot should be able to effectively shut them down. The veteran netminder also got plenty of rest as he sat out the Kings’ last game. He should be well-prepared to stonewall the Sharks attack.
San Jose Sharks Analysis
While the Kings are rolling, the Sharks continue to flounder near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Their offense is led by Tomas Hertl‘s 24 points but lacks secondary scoring beyond that. Hertl had success against Los Angeles last season but the Kings defense led by Drew Doughty and Mikey Anderson is playing tighter hockey right now. They should be able to contain Hertl and limit the Sharks’ opportunities. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has also struggled mightily this year, going just 4-11-2 with an .890 save percentage. If the Kings pepper him with shots, he could crack under the pressure.
The Sharks do have a few things working in their favor though. For one, they should be motivated to beat their in-state rivals and snap their lengthy losing skid. They are also returning home after a lengthy road trip which could provide an energy boost. However, over the long run, they simply lack the talent to keep up with the Kings who outmatch them at both ends of the ice. It would be a major upset if the Sharks are able to get the job done.
Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks Against the Spread
The Kings have gone just 2-3 against the spread over their last five contests. Bettors may be hesitant to lay the puckline here given the Sharks’ potential as a scrappy home underdog. However, Los Angeles is 8-6 against the number in away matchups this year while San Jose has struggled at 6-10 ATS at home. With the Kings entering well-rested and confident, they should be able to cover a reasonable puckline.
As for the Sharks, they have gone 1-4 ATS over their previous five games. While they have gone over the total in three of those contests, goals figure to be hard to come by against Talbot and the Kings’ stingy defense. The under looks like the safer play unless Blackwood completely implodes in net.
Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks Free Pick
Based on trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Kings. They outmatch the Sharks in all facets and Talbot should stifle the San Jose attack.
Spread: Los Angeles Kings. Their offense should have no issues scoring on the struggling Blackwood, even on the road.
Total: Over. Both teams have recently been engaging in more high-scoring contests.
Predicted Score: Los Angeles Kings 4, San Jose Sharks 2
In conclusion, while the Sharks will undoubtedly put up a fight, the Kings’ overall performance and statistical advantage make them the more reliable pick for bettors at any Canadian sportsbook. This matchup promises to be an exciting one, with the Kings likely to maintain their strong position in the league.
