The San Jose Sharks (7-8-1) visit the LA Kings (4-7-2) meet in a Wednesday Pacific Division tussle in Los Angeles, California. The opening faceoff at Crypto.com Arena will be at 10 p.m. ET (TNT / truTV). Let's analyze NHL odds around the Sharks vs. Kings odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: San Jose leads 1-0 after a 5-4 overtime home win Oct. 3
San Jose last played Monday, falling to the Calgary Flames 2-1 (Under 6.5) as a -125 home favorite. The Sharks surrendered the winning goal in the third period and finished a 4-game homestand at 1-3-0.
Los Angeles played its most recent game Saturday, falling as a +114 home underdog in a 3-2 (Under 5.5) setback against the Buffalo Sabres. The Kings yielded the deciding goal
with 6:20 remaining. LA has alternated wins and losses over its last 6 games (3-3-0) and has scored just 4 goals across those 3 defeats.
Watch the NHL on Fubo!
Sharks at Kings odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:56 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Sharks +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Kings -156 (bet $156 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sharks +1.5 (-178) | Kings -1.5 (+144)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +110 | U: -134)
Sharks at Kings projected goalies
Yaroslav Askarov (4-6-0, 2.91 GAA, .901 SV%) vs. Darcy Kuemper (4-3-1, 3.66 GAA, .878 SV%)
Askarov stopped 20 of 22 shots in Monday's 2-1 loss to Calgary. The 24-year-old has allowed just 5 goals on 86 shots (.942 SV%) over his last 3 starts, although San Jose has won only 1 of those games.
Kuemper last played Thursday, making 17 saves while allowing 5 goals in a 6-5 overtime win over Ottawa. Kuemper and LA squandered a 5-1 third-period lead before rescuing the victory.
Sharks at Kings picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 3, Sharks 2
Moneyline
Over their last 15 games played with 3-day rest, the Kings have gone 9-4-2.
LA gets a significant rest advantage here and sans a couple games on an East Coast road trio in October has logged solid expected-goals production at both ends recently.
Including the Oct. 3 meeting, San Jose has gone past regulation in 3 straight wins over Los Angeles. But the Kings led all 3 of those games at one point; in 2 of those tilts they led past the midpoint of the contest.
The Kings have scuffled on special teams this fall, ranking 23rd on the power play (17.8%), and 32nd in killing penalties (62.5%). But LA has scored 3 PP goals over its last 2 games, and the Sharks have gone just 1 for their last 11 with an extra skater.
If Kuemper goes for the Kings, look for a bounce-back from the 36-year-old. He has logged solid home-ice and early-season numbers in his career. He's the last line of defense for a home side that blocks a lot of shots and wins faceoffs at a near-52% clip.
KINGS (-156) has value.
Puck line/Against the spread
No interest; PASS.
Over/Under
The last 4 San Jose games have hit the Under, and the Under is 4-2 across LA's last 6.
The last 7 series meetings have tilted on the Over, but the Under is the leverage play for his one. Kuemper had been solid in 3 late-October games before allowing 5 goals in his last. The Kings have been extra-stingy in warding off shots from the slot over their last 2 games.
In the 5-on-5 expected-goals-for department, Los Angles ranks as near-league average, while San Jose fits as a bottom feeder. Special-teams input could rock this one past 6 goals, but there is a slight lean on the UNDER 6 (+100). That price is available on BetMGM Sportsbook.
Betting odds calculator
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow SportsbookWire on X at SportsBookWire and on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: San Jose Sharks at LA Kings odds, picks and predictions
Advertiser disclosure: USA TODAY may earn a commission when you sign up through links on this page. Commissions never influence our editorial coverage or rankings. Offers and odds were accurate at publication and are subject to change; terms apply — see the operator’s site. This is general information, not betting, legal or financial advice. To the fullest extent permitted by law, USA TODAY is not liable for losses arising from your use of it.
Must be 21+ (18+ where permitted). Sports betting and casino gaming are not legal everywhere; complying with the laws where you are located is your responsibility. Gamble only with funds you can afford to lose. Gambling problem? Help is available 24/7 — call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, or call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET. State helplines and responsible gaming resources.
