LOS ANGELES KINGS VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS – 10/30/2019 FREE PICK & NHL BETTING PREDICTION

The Vancouver Canucks are always a tough team to bet on, just look at their 6-5 loss to the Capitals last week, where they surrendered four unanswered goals in the third on their way to a shootout loss.

With such an uneven performance this is a team that can frustrate bettors (and have done for years). Still, this is also a team that can put up points, and they will be looking to build on their 7-2 win against the Florida Panthers on the 28th.

L.A. Kings

The fact that L.A are in the basement of the Western Conference and have won only two of their last five outings, would suggest the -1.5 goal spread for the Canucks is a safe bet.

Granted only one of those games were a home stand, and they’re hosting the Canucks this time after a dismal 8-2 loss to them on the road earlier this month. However, the Kings home record (2-3-0) is only marginally better than their away record (2-5-0).

Yes the Kings traditionally play the Canucks hard, but as noted they are seriously struggling to find offence, and have been calling up players from the AHL in an effort by coach Todd McLellan to stir up his offensive mix after a tough road trip.

Vancouver Canucks

Could the Canucks take what should be an easy road game and turn it into a contest? With just about any other team the answer would be a resounding yes, but with the Kings continuing to struggle to get the puck in the net, and a weaker than usual defense tells us the Canucks are actually being undervalued here.

Free Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks NHL Prediction:

The Canucks will be on the road after a successful home stand and they couldn’t ask for a better starting point for their road trip. Rather than landing in hockey mad Edmonton or Calgary it’s a trip down the coast (no time difference) to face an underperforming Kings team.

The only factor that adds a wrinkle to the game is ice. For a team that is winning on offence good ice and a fast puck is definitely a plus.

They won’t have that in Southern California at Staples Centre, where slush in front of the goalies’ crease can become a factor, especially later in the game.

4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Canucks ML

That would be the only caveat in recommending betting the Canucks against the spread.

Furthermore, as noted above, while the Kings have traditionally played Vancouver hard, and in a perfect world would be set for payback for the 8-2 drubbing they received Oct 9th, but the world is far from perfect, and if the Canucks stay true to form in their last half dozen games, lighting up the Kings early, it will be a long night for the home team.

Clearly Vancouver is a safe straight up bet, and with a team eager to build on their record setting goal pace, the total of 6.0 would suggest betting the over.