Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights Prediction, Picks, Odds: How Will Jack Eichel Look in Return?

Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights Prediction, Picks, Odds: How Will Jack Eichel Look in Return?

We are back baby. It is finally hockey season. 

I hated the tease we got with the two overseas games being scheduled almost a week before the rest of the league got underway, but the wait is finally over and tonight we get to kick off the season with two exciting matchups.

Enough with the prologue on this one, let’s get down to the action. The first game I want to dive into is tonight’s clash between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Los Angeles Kings.

Kings vs. Golden Knights Start Time and Where to Watch

Date: October 11

Time: 10:00 pm ET

Where to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+

Kings vs. Golden Knights Odds

Spread: Golden Knights +1 (-180), Kings -1 (+175)

Total: Over 5.5 (-130), Under 5.5 (+120)

Moneyline: Golden Knights +1 (+100), Kings -1 (-120)

Click Here for Kings vs. Golden Knights Odds

Kings vs. Golden Knights Prediction

Vegas is no longer the team that miraculously made the cup run in their franchise's inaugural season six years ago and lacks the overall talent they had then but are still dangerous and a highly capable team. The return of a healthy Jack Eichel after missing nearly the entire season last year will be a huge boost both on the ice and in the locker room. Guys like Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo will continue to be leaders on the team and guide the Knights in the right direction.

Their netminder situation does worry me and they have a lot to prove after missing the playoffs last year. The Pacific Division is definitely looking like it will sport much stronger competition for them this year than it did a few years back and Vegas could find themselves in the same spot this year.

In this Divisional clash tonight we see one of those that are teams looking to become a true contender out of the Pacific this year, the Los Angeles Kings. Last year they moved mountains in relation to the results of years past. After three consecutive years of finishing in the bottom half of the division and not qualifying for the postseason, they put up 99 points and finished third. They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers but battled in a seven-game series that they almost stole.

They had a solid offseason, most notably acquiring star forward Kevin Fiala from the Minnesota Wild and that is a huge addition. This team should be really competitive again this year and potentially better than last. In my eyes, the team’s success is contingent on the play between the pipes. Johnathan Quick has had a phenomenal career but is on his way out and I really question how high the ceiling is on his play this year. Who knows if Cal Peterson takes the reins at some point in the season but until then both should be playing and until there is a true number one netminder performing there consistently it could hurt them.

Four of the last five meetings between these two squads cleared the number we’re playing tonight and smoked it in a ten-goal preseason game just five days ago. Early in the season, we should see some slopping defensive play and these netminders making some mistakes as they get back into the swing of things. Combine that with the offensive production I see here and I am digging the look for our first total of the season.

Kings vs. Golden Knights Picks

• Kings/Knights 1P o1.5 -130 (Bet $130 to win $100)
• Kings/Knights o5.5 -130 (Bet $130 to win $100)

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