LA Kings vs Nashville Predators Prediction NHL Picks 12/21/24

In this article we will formulate an LA Kings vs Nashville Predators prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 21st at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

LA Kings Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Kings are 19-9-4 this year after they defeated Philadelphia by a score of 7-3 in their last game. Los Angeles was tied at three heading into the third period, but they scored four goals in the third for the win. The Kings outshot Philadelphia by a total of 27-26, won 46.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles got goals from Byfield, Fiala (2), Foegele, Jeannot, and Kopitar (2), while Kuemper stopped 23 out of 26 shots in the game. 

Prior to that victory, the Kings lost to the Penguins by a score of 3-2 but did beat the Rangers by a score of 5-1 before that. Los Angeles has scored 3.16 goals per game and they have allowed 2.53 goals against per game, while also going 15.1% on the power play and 82.2% on the penalty kill this season. Anze Kopitar has led LA with 10 goals, 27 assists, and 40 shots on goal, while David Rittich is 10-7-0 with a 2.49 goals against average and an .890 save percentage this year. 

Nashville Predators Betting Preview

The Nashville Predators are 9-17-7 this season after they lost to Pittsburgh in overtime by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Nashville led 4-3 in the third period, but they couldn’t hang onto the lead and lost in overtime. The Predators outshot Pittsburgh by a total of 26-20, won 46% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Nashville got goals from Evangelista, Marchessault, Stamkos, and Skjei, while Saros stopped 15 out of 20 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Predators defeated the Rangers by a score of 2-0 but did lose to the Avalanche by a score of 5-2 before that. Nashville has scored 2.30 goals per game and they have allowed 3.12 goals against per game, while also going 17.7% on the power play and 87.1% on the penalty kill this season. Filip Forsberg has led Nashville with nine goals, 15 assists, and 114 shots on goal, while Juuse Saros is 7-14-6 with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage this year. 

Why the Predators will beat the Kings

• The underdogs have won four of the Predators’ last five games at Bridgestone Arena.
• The Kings have lost six of their last eight road games following a road win.
• The Predators have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games as underdogs after coming off overtime.
• The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents.
• The Kings have lost the first period in three of their last four games at Bridgestone Arena following a road win.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Kings’ last five games as road favorites following a road win has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Predators’ last four day games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last seven games as road favorites.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 12 of the Predators’ last 13 games as underdogs.

Nashville Predators Player Prop Facts

• Filip Forsberg has recorded at least one point in each of the Predators’ last 10 Saturday games at Bridgestone Arena.
• Jonathan Marchessault has scored the first goal in each of the Predators’ last three games at Bridgestone Arena.
• Jonathan Marchessault has scored at least one goal in each of the Predators’ last three home games.
• Roman Josi has recorded at least one assist in each of the Predators’ last four games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.

Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts

• Kevin Fiala has scored a goal in four of the Kings’ last five road games against Central Division opponents.
• Anze Kopitar has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Kings’ last eight games against Central Division opponents.
• Anze Kopitar has recorded at least one point in each of the Kings’ last eight games against Central Division opponents.

LA Kings vs Nashville Predators Prediction 

Nashville comes into this matchup after alternating wins and losses over their last five games, but they have lost 10 of their last 12 games. The Predators are 6-7-3 at home this year, while the Kings are 9-7-3 on the road. Los Angeles has alternated wins and losses over their last five games, but they have won eight of their last ten. The Kings are playing very well this season and their defense is elite, but they are on a long road trip and I think the Predators can steal the victory here. Take Nashville to win.