The Los Angeles Kings are set to host the St. Louis Blues at Crypto.com Arena in a crucial Western Conference matchup that could have significant playoff implications.
The Kings, currently holding third place in the Pacific Division with a 31-20-8 record, are looking to break free from a concerning three-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, the Blues (29-27-6) find themselves just one point outside of a playoff spot and are desperate to capitalize on the Kings' recent struggles.
The matchup presents an intriguing contrast between the Kings' stellar defensive unit, allowing just 2.66 goals per game, and the Blues' top-heavy offense led by Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou.
Both teams have faced offensive challenges this season, with the Kings averaging 2.81 goals per game and the Blues slightly better at 2.84, suggesting a potentially tight, defensive battle.
The outcome may well hinge on the performance of Kings' netminder Darcy Kuemper, who has impressed with a .910 save percentage this season, against a Blues team eager to strengthen their playoff position in the Western Conference race.
Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Los Angeles Kings vs St. Louis Blues matchup, our predictive model gives the Kings a 66.5% chance of defeating the Blues.
Los Angeles Kings: 66.5% win probability
- Strong defensive performance (159 goals against, 3rd best in Western Conference)
- Higher league position (7th in Western Conference with 70 points vs Blues' 10th)
- Better goal differential (-8 vs Blues' -8, despite playing fewer games)
St. Louis Blues: 33.5% win probability
- Poor defensive record (187 goals against, 10th worst in Western Conference)
- Lower points total (64 points in 62 games vs Kings' 70 in 59 games)
- Inconsistent scoring (179 goals for, ranking 9th in Western Conference)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues odds
Here are the latest odds for this NHL matchup as the Los Angeles Kings host the St. Louis Blues at home on Wednesday, March 05.
| Los Angeles Kings | St. Louis Blues | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -160 (via bet365 US) | +142 (via FanDuel Sportsbook) |
Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues preview
The Los Angeles Kings are set to host the St. Louis Blues at Crypto.com Arena in a crucial Western Conference matchup that could have significant playoff implications.
The Kings, currently holding third place in the Pacific Division with a 31-20-8 record, are looking to snap a concerning three-game losing streak and regain their momentum in the playoff race.
Meanwhile, the Blues (29-27-6) find themselves just one point outside of a playoff spot, making this contest particularly vital for their postseason aspirations.
Both teams have struggled offensively this season, with the Kings averaging 2.81 goals per game and the Blues slightly better at 2.84, suggesting this could be a tight, defensive battle.
The Kings' dynamic duo of Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe has been a bright spot, combining for an impressive 40 goals and 58 assists, while the Blues' offense has been led by the productive trio of Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Dylan Holloway.
Los Angeles holds a significant defensive advantage, allowing just 2.66 goals per game, thanks to strong performances from their defensive corps led by Vladislav Gavrikov and Michael Anderson, along with stellar goaltending from Darcy Kuemper who boasts a .910 save percentage.
The Blues' defensive struggles have been evident, surrendering 3.00 goals per game, with goaltender Joel Hofer posting a concerning .899 save percentage and a 2.93 goals-against average.
Kings' netminder Darcy Kuemper has been particularly impressive, recording 7.7 goals saved above average on 868 shots, which could prove to be a decisive factor in this matchup.
With both teams' recent offensive challenges, special teams and defensive discipline could ultimately determine the outcome of this Western Conference clash.
Given the Kings' superior defensive metrics and home-ice advantage, they appear poised to end their losing streak, though the desperate Blues team fighting for playoff position shouldn't be underestimated in what promises to be a compelling hockey contest.
Key stats
- 1Kings are 7th in Western Conference with 70 points, while Blues are 10th with 64 points
- 2Kings have lost 4 of their last 5 games (LLLLW), Blues have won 4 of their last 5 (LWWWW)
- 3Kings have better goal difference (-8) compared to Blues' (-8)
- 4Kings have played 3 fewer games (59) than Blues (62), giving them games in hand
Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues form
Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues head to head
Los Angeles Kings
50%
St. Louis Blues
50%
Mar 2, 2025
St. Louis Blues
4 : 1
Los Angeles Kings
Mar 13, 2024
St. Louis Blues
3 : 1
Los Angeles Kings
Jan 28, 2024
St. Louis Blues
4 : 3
Los Angeles Kings
Nov 19, 2023
Los Angeles Kings
5 : 1
St. Louis Blues
Mar 27, 2023
Los Angeles Kings
7 : 6
St. Louis Blues
Mar 5, 2023
Los Angeles Kings
4 : 2
St. Louis Blues
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