New York Rangers (28-13-2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (21-12-8)
New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings 1/20/24 – On Saturday, New York Rangers take on Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena for an exciting game in which both teams aim to improve their standings in an intense, competitive season. Stay tuned here as we examine this free expert NHL analysis! The stakes are high with both sides striving for victory as both are looking to enhance their standings.
The Rangers have proven their mettle offensively this season, led by left-wing maestro Artemi Panarin who boasts 60 points from 43 games. Led by this trio – Artemi, Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad – who all contribute consistently scoring and playmaking abilities that help fuel the Rangers’ offense, any defense in the league would need to remain wary. Especially considering their dominance on power plays this season. Kings’ defense must work overtime to counter such threats effectively.
Los Angeles Kings have also proven a formidable offensive threat this season. Anze Kopitar, their central playmaker, has produced 39 points in 41 games with an outstanding plus/minus rating of 12, while Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala create an effective yet unpredictable offensive line. Their challenge will be breaking through Igor Shesterkin’s goaltender-backed defense, so the Kings should use home advantage effectively while finding ways to outwit their defensive setup.
New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings 1/20/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Crypto.com Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin vs. Goaltender Cam Talbot
Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin comes into this matchup with excellent numbers across the board, posting 18 wins with a 2.8 GAA and .904 save percentage. However, the young netminder has yet to face an offense quite as dangerous as this Los Angeles squad. The Kings sit 7th in the league in goals per game, meaning Shesterkin will need to be sharp if New York wants to tame the LA attack.
On the other side, veteran Cam Talbot draws the start between the pipes for the Kings. Talbot has delivered for Los Angeles this season with 14 wins, a 2.44 GAA and a .915 save percentage. He boasts a wealth of experience, having backstopped multiple teams on deep playoff runs. If Talbot can replicate his steady performance of late, he should be able to neutralize a New York offense that has only averaged 3 goals per contest.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds :TBD
As the betting odds for this match-up are yet to be determined, it’s crucial to consider both teams’ recent performances and key statistics. The Rangers, with their stronger overall record and offensive prowess, might come in as favorites, but the Kings’ resilience and home advantage should not be underestimated. Bettors should keep an eye on the odds as they are released and factor in these elements when making their picks.
New York Rangers Betting Trends
The Rangers have posted a mediocre 3-2 straight up record over their last five outings. More concerning is their 2-3 mark against the spread over that same sample. New York has been strong on the road though, evidenced by their 12-10 cover rate away from Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have also seen the over hit in 11 of their 21 total road tilts.
Los Angeles Kings Betting Trends
Los Angeles has won four of its last five contests outright coming into this interconference clash. However, the Kings have struggled to cover spreads of late, going just 1-4 ATS across their previous five. On home ice, Los Angeles has been solid with a 12-10 cover record at Crypto.com Arena. Totals-wise, only one of the last five Kings games have exceeded the posted number.
New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings 1/20/24 Betting Picks
In conclusion, this game presents a tantalizing clash between two well-matched teams. The Rangers’ offensive strength, coupled with Shesterkin’s goaltending, gives them a slight edge. However, the Kings’ solid performance at home and Talbot’s reliability in goal cannot be overlooked. Our final thoughts lean towards a tightly contested game with the Rangers potentially pulling ahead, but not without significant resistance from the Kings.
When considering the better pick, it’s advisable to wait for the specific odds to be released. Prop bets on individual player performances, especially those of Panarin and Kopitar, could be interesting given their current form. The over/under might also be an intriguing bet, considering the Kings’ trend of high-scoring home games. For multi-expert best picks, keeping an eye on the evolving odds and any late-breaking team news will be crucial for making informed decisions.
Free Pick and Prediction: New York Rangers 4, Los Angeles Kings 3