Minnesota Wild at LA Kings 1/14/21 - NHL Picks & Predictions
Last Updated: 01/13/2021 at 7:44 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild visit Southern California on Thursday to open the 2021 NHL regular season against the Los Angeles Kings. Last season the Wild were 35-27-7 with 77 points and finished sixth in the Central Division. Kevin Fiala was the leading scorer for Minnesota with 25 goals, 31 assists and 54 points. During the offseason, Minnesota added Nick Bonino, Cam Talbot, Nick Bjugstad and Macus Johansson, while losing Alex Galchenyuk, JT Brown, Erica Staal, Mikko Koivu and Devean Dubnyk.
Minnesota is expecting big things from last season’s top goaltender in the AHL Kaapo Kahkonen. The arrival of Cam Talbot gives the Wild much needed experience in goal while Kahkonen learns the ropes between the pipes in the NHL. Kirill Kaprizov is expected to battle for the Calder Trophy and veterans Zach Parise and Ryan Suter give Minnesota leadership and talent. The Wild will rely on the blue line and goaltending to keep games close.
The Los Angeles Kings finished seventh in the Pacific Division at 29-35-6 with 64 points but had an atrocious -34 goal difference. The top scorer last season for Los Angeles was Anze Kopitar with 21 goals, 41 assists and 62 points. During the off-season, Los Angeles acquired Olli Maatta, Andreas Athanasiou and Quinton Byfield, while losing Joakim Ryan and Ben Hutton. Los Angeles will have several young skaters this season and their development is key to the Kings’ success.
Los Angeles rookie Quinton Byfield will see plenty of action from the start as the second overall pick is the highest draft pick for Los Angeles since Drew Doughty. But, besides Byfield the Kings have Gabe Vilardi, who scored seven points in just 10 games last season and gave the Kings an offensive punch they have been lacking for the last few seasons. Veterans such as Anze Kopitar up front and Doughty and in the back must come up big this season if the Kings want to reach the playoffs. Jonathan Quick returns in goal and backup Cal Petersen gives the Kings a strong tandem between the pipes.
Betting Trends for vs
Los Angeles has had the upper hand in this matchup as the Kings have won five of the last six played on their home ice against Minnesota and overall the home team (LA) has won 13 of the last 16 meetings between the two. Los Angeles boasts a young talented group of skaters who will look to jump out of the gate quick to start the regular season with a victory on their home ice Thursday. Final Score Prediction, Los Angeles Kings win 4-1.
Download the Picks and Parlays Mobile App
Get A free VIP Pick Daily!
