Kings vs Rangers Prediction 3/16/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Kings vs Rangers prediction for this NHL game on Monday, March 16th at Madison Square Garden in New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Kings are 27-24-15 this year after they lost to the Devils by a score of 6-4 in their last game. Los Angeles led 3-2 after the second period, but they allowed four goals in the third for the loss. The Kings out shot NJ by a total of 31-28, won 45.6% of the face-offs, and went 2-3 on the power play in the game. LA got goals from Kopitar (2), Panarin, and Ward, while Forsberg stopped 22 out of 27 shots, which was an .815 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Los Angeles defeated the Islanders by a score of 3-2, but did lose to the Bruins by a score of 2-1 before that. The Kings have alternated wins and losses over their last nine games and they are currently sixth in the Pacific standings with 69 points. Los Angeles has scored 2.61 goals per game and they have allowed 2.94 goals against per game, while also going 16.8% on the power play and 75.5% on the penalty kill this season. Adrian Kempe has led LA with 26 goals and 32 assists, while Brandt Clarke has added eight goals and 29 assists. The projected starting goalie for LA is Darcy Kuemper, who is 16-13-10 with a 2.69 goals against average and an .897 save percentage this year. 

New York Rangers Betting Preview

The New York Rangers are 28-30-8 this season after they defeated the Wild by a score of 4-2 in their last game. New York had their lead cut to 2-1 in the second period, but they scored the next two goals in 22 seconds to pull away with the win. The Rangers were out shot by a total of 48-18, won 48.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Chmelar, Laba, Trocheck, and Gavrikov, while Shesterkin stopped 46 out of 48 shots, which was a .958 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, New York defeated the Jets by a score of 6-3 and the Flames by a score of 4-0. The Rangers have won four games in a row and they are currently last in the Metro standings with 64 points. New York has scored 2.82 goals per game and they have allowed 3.11 goals against per game, while also going 24.2% on the power play and 78.5% on the penalty kill this season. Mika Zibanejad has led NY with 27 goals and 35 assists, while Vincent Trocheck has added 13 goals and 33 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 22-12-6 with a 2.49 goals against average and a .914 save percentage this year. 

Why the New York Rangers will win

• The Rangers have won each of their last five night games.
• The Kings have lost each of their last four night games at Madison Square Garden.
• The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in 13 of their last 14 games as favorites following a road loss.
• The Rangers have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games.
• The Rangers have won the first period in each of their last four games.

Why the Los Angeles Kings will win

• The Rangers have lost eight of their last nine games against Pacific Division opponents.
• The Kings have won each of their last four games against the Rangers.
• The Kings have covered the puck line in four of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Kings have won the second period in each of their last four games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Rangers’ last eight night games at Madison Square Garden following a road win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Four of the Kings’ last five night games against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the last nine games between the Kings and Rangers.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Kings’ last 10 night games.

New York Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Noah Laba has scored a goal in each of the Rangers’ last three games as underdogs.
• Tye Kartye has recorded an assist in each of the Rangers’ last five games.

Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts

• Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one assist in 12 of his last 13 road appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Artemi Panarin has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Kings vs Rangers Prediction

New York comes into this matchup on a four game winning streak, but they continue to be last in the Metro Division by several points. The Rangers are 9-15-6 at home this year, while the Kings are 17-9-8 on the road. Los Angeles has alternated wins and losses over their last five games and this will be their fifth game of the road trip. Neither team is having a great season, but New York is playing their best hockey of the year right now. Take the Rangers to win at home.

David Racey's Pick: Rangers ML