Panthers vs Kings Prediction, Odds & Starting Goalies – Wednesday Night Hockey

• The Florida Panthers (28-17-3) visit the Los Angeles Kings (25-14-5) on Wednesday, January 22, 2025
• We’ve made our Panthers vs Kings prediction for Wednesday night hockey on TNT
• Read below for Panthers vs Kings prediction, preview and odds for tonight’s game

A pair of playoff contenders clash in Los Angeles as the Florida Panthers (28-17-3) take on the Kings (25-14-5) at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Puck drop is slated for 10:00 PM Eastern Time, with national coverage on TNT.

The Kings are short home favorites at -120 on the moneyline, while the total is set at a tight-checking 5.5 goals. Can L.A. bounce back from Monday’s 5-1 loss to the Penguins and cool off the red-hot Panthers?

Here’s our Panthers vs Kings prediction for Wednesday Night Hockey.

Panthers vs Kings Prediction

I’m backing the Kings -120 moneyline in a low-scoring, defensive battle. Los Angeles has been elite on home ice this season, posting a stellar 14-3-1 record at Crypto.com Arena. They allow the 3rd-fewest goals per game (2.48) thanks to their stifling team defense and outstanding goaltending.

While Monday’s 5-1 loss to Pittsburgh was ugly, the Kings have proven adept at bouncing back all year long. LA hasn’t lost three in a row since early October. Furthermore, they’ve responded to their last two instances of consecutive defeats with impressive wins over Edmonton (4-3) and Vancouver (5-1).

That resiliency, coupled with their mastery in low-event games, makes the Kings a great bet to get right against a potentially tired Panthers squad playing their second game in as many nights. Florida needed a late push to beat the lowly Ducks 5-2 on Tuesday and showed defensive vulnerabilities in the process.

The Kings catch a break with former Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky probably sitting this one out. While backup Spencer Knight (9-6-1, 2.45 GAA, .905 SV%) has been solid, he’s still a significant downgrade from Bob. That tilts this matchup even further in L.A.’s favor.

Darcy Kuemper (2.10 GAA, .922 SV%) should outduel Knight and spearhead another stellar defensive effort from the Kings. Back L.A. to clamp down on the Panthers’ potent attack and earn a crucial home win.

Wednesday NHL Pick:

• Kings Moneyline (-120 at Caesars)

Panthers vs Kings Odds

The Kings sit as -120 home favorites on the moneyline, meaning a $120 bet would net you $100 in profit if L.A. wins. The Panthers are slight +105 underdogs, offering a potential $105 return on a $100 wager.

L.A. is +154 to cover the -1.5 puck line, so they need to prevail by two or more goals for that bet to cash. Meanwhile, Florida is -185 to stay within 1.5 goals – a $185 bet would win you $100 if the Panthers either win outright or lose by a single tally.

The total is perched at just 5.5 goals, with the over at -114 and the under priced at -106. This aligns with our expectation of a tight-checking, defensively driven contest.

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of January 22, 2025.

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Panthers vs Kings Projected Starting Goalies

Here’s who we expect between the pipes for Wednesday’s Panthers vs Kings tilt:

Florida Panthers: Spencer Knight (9-6-1, 2.45 GAA, .905 SV%)
With the Panthers playing on back-to-back nights, head coach Paul Maurice will likely turn to his 23-year-old backup. Knight has posted solid numbers in limited action, going 9-6-1 with a 2.45 GAA and .905 save percentage.

The talented youngster has shown marked improvement after an up-and-down sophmore campaign. Still, he’s not on the same level as a locked-in Bobrovsky, who sports a sparkling 19-11-2 record, 2.83 GAA and .897 SV% on the year.

Knight will need to stand on his head for the Panthers to have a shot in this one. He faces a tall task trying to outduel Darcy Kuemper and solve the Kings’ airtight team defense on the road.

Los Angeles Kings: Darcy Kuemper (13-4-5, 2.10 GAA, .922 SV%)
Kuemper has been spectacular in his first season with the Kings, emerging as a longshot Vezina Trophy candidate. The 34-year-old boasts an outstanding 13-4-5 mark to go along with a stingy 2.10 GAA and stellar .922 save percentage.

While Kuemper was tagged for three goals by the Kraken in his last start, look for him to bounce back strong against Florida. The savvy vet has allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of his last 15 starts and has lost consecutive games in regulation just once all season.

In 10 career matchups with the Panthers, Kuemper has compiled an excellent 6-3-1 record, 2.28 GAA and .926 SV%. Expect him to add to that impressive resume and get the better of Knight in this goaltending showdown.

Back the Kings as short home favorites. With the Panthers likely starting their backup on the tail end of a back-to-back and L.A. eager to atone for Monday’s disappointing showing, everything sets up perfectly for the Kings to stifle Florida and improve upon their dominant 14-3-1 record at Crypto.com Arena.