Now that March Madness betting is finished for another season, it’s time for a postseason of another kind as the Stanley Cup playoffs are on the horizon. We could get a preview of a first-round matchup on Wednesday night as Phoenix heads to Los Angeles, where the Kings try to bounce back from a terrible outing.
Coyotes Kings Betting – Wednesday, 10:30 PM ET
The Coyotes had three days off, and didn’t have another game for five days, so they were in the middle of a dry spell when they fell 4-3 at home in a shootout to Colorado on Friday. Shane Doan and Ray Whitney had a goal and assist each, while Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 17 shots for the Coyotes, who outshot the Avalanche 38-20. The Coyotes are now fourth in the NHL standings in the West with seven wins in their last 10 games, and this loss should refocus a Phoenix team who hasn’t gotten the attention of the likes of Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose. This could be the best chance that the Coyotes have to win their first opening-round series.
The Kings are tied on 96 points with Phoenix after a 6-1 drubbing in San Jose on Tuesday, giving up four goals in the second period. Michael Handzus notched his 12th goal of the season, while Jonathan Quick was chased after four goals on 16 shots for the Kings, who will be praying that they don’t run into the Sharks in the playoffs, especially. In three games in San Jose this season, the Kings have allowed six goals on two occasions. Los Angeles has had a slew of injuries in the last few weeks, but they won’t get far in the postseason if they perform like this.
NHL betting odds will have the Kings as slight favorites at home, although the Coyotes are 3-2 in their last five trips to the Staples Center, and three of the last four meetings have gone under the posted total with a push as well. The Kings have to slow down Lee Stempniak, who has scored six goals against Los Angeles this season, and what’s more impressive is that he’s scored those six goals on 12 shots. Ryan Smyth has a goal and three assists against Phoenix for the Kings, but he was also -4, and Anze Kopitar has his four assists on the sidelines after ankle surgery. While this is a possible first-round preview, Nashville and Anaheim are hot on their heels, and they’re both only four points ahead of eighth-place Chicago. This game is huge on so many levels, and the Kings may have lost too much already. We’re giving the edge to the more experienced Coyotes in our sports betting picks.
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