Kings vs Blues Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Kempe Shines as Blues Go Backwards

The St. Louis Blues are eight games out of a postseason spot, while the Los Angeles Kings are in the thick of the seeding battle in the top-heavy Pacific Division.

Los Angeles is a road favorite in the NHL odds against St. Louis on Wednesday, and the Kings have actually been a better team on the highway with a 19-9-4 record. The Blues are also in the midst of an underwhelming 3-5-1 stretch.

Here are our free NHL picks and NHL player props for the Kings vs. Blues matchup on Wednesday, March 13.

Kings vs Blues odds

Kings vs Blues predictions

There’s a huge statistical gap across the board between the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues. The Kings are a 5-on-5 juggernaut with a fourth-ranked 54.5 Corsi For percentage and third-ranked 2.84 expected goals per 60 minutes, and the Blues check in with a 30th-ranked 44.8 CF% and 31st-ranked 2.21 xGF/60. 

Los Angeles also sports the No. 1 penalty-kill percentage (86.3%) and is better with the man advantage. Additionally, St. Louis sports a league-low 39.9 CF% and 1.73 xGF/60 during the noted nine-game slump.

Where the Kings have struggled this season has been turning their scoring opportunities into goals. Los Angeles sports the fourth-lowest team shooting percentage (7.4%) at 5-on-5 despite registering the seventh-most scoring chances per 60 (28.83).

With the Blues trending in the wrong direction and being caved in at 5-on-5, I’m anticipating the Kings driving the play while continuing to keep the St. Louis offense at bay.

My best bet: Kings moneyline (-145 at BetMGM)

Kings vs Blues same-game parlay

Kings moneyline

Blues team total Under 2.5

Adrian Kempe anytime goal

+411 at FanDuel

The Blues Under 2.5 goals correlates with my best bet, and as discussed, this is a horrible matchup for the St. Louis offense. Los Angeles is an elite possession team at 5-on-5 and top the league in PK%. Additionally, the Kings have surrendered the seventh-fewest goals (2.29) and fifth-fewest expected goals (2.35) at 5-on-5 this season.

Turning to Adrian Kempe, the 27-year-old winger is in the midst of a lengthy scoring slump with just five goals and a 6.8% shooting percentage across his past 23 games. He’s registered 50 scoring chances and 15 individual high-danger scoring chances during the stretch, and the noted shooting percentage is well below the 12.9% mark he posted through the first 36 games of the year. Kempe also posted a 15.3% mark over the prior two seasons.

Finally, there’s an edge in the numbers through FanDuel because this same SGP is priced at just +365 through DraftKings. The difference in the odds is a positive expected value of 10%.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Kings vs Blues moneyline and Over/Under analysis

There has already been a small move to the Los Angeles side of this moneyline, and I’m anticipating the betting action to continue to come in on the Kings. The statistical gap isn’t fully priced in yet, and St. Louis appears to be in the beginning stages of mailing it in with the postseason all but officially out of reach.

This total has been flip-flopping between 5.5 and 6, and there isn’t a consensus number across sportsbooks. The 5.5 totals have the Over carrying the higher vig, while the Under is saddled with the added tax on the 6s.

I am anticipating this being a low-scoring game, and both teams have trended to the Under of late.

Kings vs Blues betting trend to know

The Under has hit in four of Los Angeles’ past five games, and the total has gone Under in five of St. Louis’ past seven games. Find more NHL betting trends for Kings vs. Blues.

Kings vs Blues game info

Kings vs Blues latest injuries

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