Welcome back to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Sports! Each day of the NHL season, we preview and analyze games to give our predictions. Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at a game between the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators. Be sure to check back each day to follow along with our predictions throughout the season.
NHL Predictions
Los Angeles Kings at Nashville Predators
Time: 1:30 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time)
TV: ESPN, Fubo TV, Sling TV
The Kings will travel to Nashville to take on the Predators on this last Saturday before Christmas. The Kings and Predators will be playing in the second of their three games against each other. This is also the second one in a row at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Kings were able to pick up the win by a score of 3-0. The Preds will be looking to even the season series tonight.
Los Angeles Kings Preview
The Kings are coming off a 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. The Kings have been making the most of their 16 day road trip, going 3-1-1. They’ll look to keep their offence going after that seven goal outburst against a usually defensive Flyers team. This will likely be the toughest stretch of the road trip for the Kings, as they will be playing back to back days. After a long road trip, they’ll have to battle through two more games in two days to reach the Holiday break.
With the Kings playing both Saturday and Sunday, the prevailing assumption is that Darcy Kuemper will start one game and David Rittich the other. With Nashville being the weaker opponent in the two upcoming games, David Rittich will likely get the start. Rittich, should he start, will be playing against his former team. The Czech goalie played for Nashville during the 2021-22 season. He went 6-3-4 in 17 games for the Predators.
Nashville Predators Preview
The Predators last played on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Similarly to the Kings this week, they lost to the Penguins in OT. The Predators have been having a rough go, despite their talented roster and offseason acquisitions. They will be searching for their tenth win on the season. Their scoring leaders include Filip Forsberg, who has 24 points on the year (15 assists and 9 goals). Jonathan Marchessault also is tied for the team league in goals with 9.
In net should be star goalie Juuse Saros. Saros is 7-14-6 this year, with a .907 save percentage and 2.72 GAA. Saros has met with success in his career against the Kings, winning 6 of his last 10 starts against them. He’ll look to get the Predators going as they try to pick up wins in their final two games before the holiday.
Prop Bets
Kings captain Anze Kopitar has been red hot lately. He scored two goals in his last game, and 6 points in his last five games. Adrian Kempe has been scoring too. He has three goals in the last five. His line has been very productive as of late, with Alex Turcotte complimenting the play of Kopitar and Kempe well. Look for these three to get on the score sheet.
NHL Predictions Time
The Los Angeles Kings should be able to win this game. They’re playing well and are facing a Predators team that is still looking to get back on track. Between their defense playing shutdown, and their offense heating up, the Kings should emerge with a “W”.
Prediction: Los Angeles Kings 4-2 over Nashville Predators
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The post NHL Predictions: December 21 Los Angeles Kings vs Nashville Predators appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.