Kings vs Predators Odds, Pick & Prediction (Oct 18)

• Struggling squads clash in NHL Tuesday action as the Nashville Predators host the Los Angeles Kings
• The Predators have lost two straight, while the Kings have struggled to stop opposing shooters during a 2-2-0 start
• Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup at Bridgestone Arena

The Los Angeles Kings continue the search for their first win in Nashville in almost six years when they take on the Predators in NHL betting action on Wednesday night.

Start time is set for 9:30pm ET at Bridgestone Arena, with all the action televised on ESPN.

Despite going undefeated on the road in the early going of the new NHL campaign, the Kings arrive trailing in the NHL odds as +135 underdogs, while the Predators sit perched as -165 favorites to snap a two-game slide. The total is pegged at 6.0, with the odds of the OVER paying out listed at -113.

Kings vs Predators Odds

Odds as of October 18th at Barstool Sportsbook. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code for NHL betting.

Kings vs Predators Recent History

Tuesday night’s matchup marks the first of three scheduled meetings this season between these Western Conference rivals. The Predators have largely dominated in head-to-head action, taking nine of 11 from the Kings, but came out on the wrong end of a 6-1 decision when these teams last clashed in Los Angeles back on March 22.

The Predators have particularly impressed when facing the Kings on home ice, tallying four straight victories while outscoring LA by a wide 14-5 margin. However, their past two dates in Music City have been tight low-scoring affairs that ended as 2-1 wins for the Predators. Those results have helped extend a steady run for the OVER, which has gone 5-2-0 in their past seven clashes in Nashville.

Los Angeles Kings Betting Outlook

Touted as an intriguing +450 dark horse to win the Pacific Division in the NHL futures going into the season, the Kings have produced mixed results in the early going of the campaign. The club opened their schedule with consecutive losses on home ice, but have rebounded since hitting the road, posting wins in the first two contests on their current five-game road trip.

MUST-SEE VIDEO: Dylan Larkin prevented an empty-net Kings goal, sliding cleanly to stop it.

The Red Wings scored seconds later to send the game to OT.

Video: @BallySportsDET pic.twitter.com/Zrsykh8U3z

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 18, 2022

The Kings earned a 5-4 overtime win in Detroit on Monday night. That followed a narrow 7-6 win in Minnesota on Saturday. In both those contests, the Kings were forced to fend off third-period rallies, with limited success. Indeed, goaltending has emerged as a concern in LA. In addition to surrendering a league-high 141 shots on goal to date, the Kings also sit near the bottom of the NHL stats in team goals against average, save percentage, and goals allowed.

Kings got a much needed win tonight but they have a problem – Cal Petersen. That dude is not good but they have to have him play at least 30 games this year to keep Quick fresh. He's also in the first year of a three year, $15m deal with a Modified No Trade Clause. Woof!

— Puck Podcast (@PuckPodcast) October 16, 2022

That adds to the pressure on Cal Petersen, who is expected to get the call in net on Tuesday. Petersen allowed all six goals in Saturday’s win over the Wild, and surrendered an average of four goals per game over his final eight appearances last season.

Nashville Predators Betting Outlook

The Predators have also produced mixed results to start their schedule. The club opened its season in Europe with a pair of victories over the San Jose Sharks. However, they failed to maintain that momentum in last weekend’s home-and-home series with Dallas, which ended with a pair of losses while getting outscored by a 9-2 overall margin.

Joe Pavelski scores against the Nashville Predators to make it 3-0 #NSHvsDAL #Preds #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/zVK94kBPBg

— nopClips (@nopClips) October 14, 2022

The Predators have had their chances. The club outshot the Stars in each of their recent clashes, and has averaged a respectable 28 shots per game to date. However, this team has been haunted by slow starts. Predators shooters have failed to find the back of the net in first-period action since scoring just 61 seconds into their season-opening 4-1 over the Sharks.

Nino Niederreiter's gorgeous direction evades Oettinger to get the Preds on the board!#Preds pic.twitter.com/zQIYklXR4w

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) October 16, 2022

Recent addition Nino Niederreiter has been one of the few bright spots early on. The Swiss forward has contributed four of the Predators’ nine total goals to date, but has scored just four times in 17 appearances versus the Kings.

Kings vs Predators Prediction

Tuesday’s matchup pits a team struggling to score hosting a team struggling to shut down opposing offenses. Considering the Kings’ recent struggles in Nashville, their current two-game losing streak in the back half of games played on back-to-back nights, and continued concerns about Cal Petersen’s ability to make the big save, the Predators offer value to extend their home dominance over LA.

The Pick: Predators -1.5 (+150)