Kings vs Avalanche Prediction NHL Picks Free 4/8

© Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Game Preview: Avalanche vs. Kings - April 8, 2023

The Colorado Avalanche are set to visit the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Staples Center. The Avalanche are coming off a big win against the San Jose Sharks, with Mikko Rantanen recording a hat trick. The Kings, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back after losing their previous game against the Arizona Coyotes. Both teams have had a successful season so far, with the Avalanche leading the Central Division and the Kings sitting in third place in the Pacific Division. The Avalanche have a record of 46-24-6, while the Kings have a record of 45-23-10. According to NHL picks experts, the Avalanche are favored to win this game, with odds of -115, while the Kings have odds of -105. The Avalanche have been in great form over their last 10 games, winning eight and averaging four goals per game. Meanwhile, the Kings have won five of their last 10 games, averaging 3.2 goals per game. Both teams have key players to watch out for, including Kevin Fiala and Viktor Arvidsson for the Kings, and Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon for the Avalanche. In terms of injuries, the Kings will be without Gabriel Vilardi, while the Avalanche have several players listed as day-to-day or out. Overall, this promises to be an exciting game between two strong teams in the NHL. 

Avalanche: Offense Analysis

The Avalanche have been on a roll lately, winning eight of their last 10 games and outscoring their opponents by an average of two goals per game. With offensive powerhouses like Rantanen and MacKinnon leading the charge, it's no surprise that experts and computer models alike are picking the Avalanche as favorites to win this matchup against the Kings. The Kings may have a respectable record at home, but their overall numbers pale in comparison to the Avalanche. They have a scoring differential of only +19, compared to the Avalanche's impressive +43. While players like Fiala and Arvidsson have been solid for the Kings, they may simply not have what it takes to keep up with the likes of Rantanen and MacKinnon. In terms of spread picks and parlays, the Avalanche are likely to be a popular choice among bettors. They have the offensive firepower and defensive prowess to not only win this game, but to do so handily. It would not be surprising to see many experts and analysts advising fans to bet big on the Avalanche for this matchup against the Kings.

Avalanche: Defensive Analysis

The Colorado Avalanche have been one of the top teams in the NHL this season, and their defensive play has been a major reason for their success. With a +43 scoring differential and only 207 goals against, the Avalanche have one of the best defenses in the league. One of the keys to their success has been the play of goaltender Philipp Grubauer, who has been a standout all season. Grubauer has a .925 save percentage and a 2.09 goals against average, both among the best in the league. He has been particularly strong on the road, with a 14-6-0 record and a .935 save percentage. The Avalanche defense has also been bolstered by strong play from their blue line. Cale Makar has been a standout in his second NHL season, with eight goals and 34 assists. Makar is a dynamic player who can both move the puck and contribute offensively. Samuel Girard and Devon Toews have also been key contributors on defense for the Avalanche. Girard has 26 points on the season, while Toews has 24. Both players bring a combination of speed, skill, and physicality to the Avalanche blue line. Overall, the Avalanche defense has been a major strength for the team this season. With Grubauer leading the way in goal and a talented group of defensemen, they will be a tough team to score against in their matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. Expect the Avalanche to continue their strong defensive play and limit the Kings' offensive opportunities. 

Kings: Offense Analysis

The Kings' offense has been inconsistent this season, and they will need to step up if they want to come out victorious in their upcoming game against the Colorado Avalanche. While the team has some top performers such as Kevin Fiala and Viktor Arvidsson, they have not been able to consistently produce on the offensive end. According to NHL picks by experts and computers, the Kings are underdogs in this matchup, with odds of -105 compared to the Avalanche's -115. Additionally, their recent performance has not been impressive, with a 5-4-1 record in their last 10 games and average of only 3.2 goals per game. On the other hand, the Avalanche's offense has been on fire lately, with Mikko Rantanen recording a hat trick in their most recent game against the San Jose Sharks. In their last 10 games, they have averaged an impressive four goals per game and have a scoring differential of +43. The Kings will need to find a way to contain Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon, who has been on a hot streak with eight goals and 11 assists in his last 10 games. They will also need to improve their power play, as they have struggled in that area with only 16.7% success rate this season. Overall, the Kings will have their work cut out for them in this game. If they want to come out with a win, they will need to improve their offensive output and find a way to neutralize the Avalanche's high-powered offense. Based on nhl picks and parlays, the Avalanche are the clear favorites to win this game.

Kings: Defensive Analysis

The Los Angeles Kings come into this game with an impressive record at home, going 25-10-4. They have a solid +19 scoring differential, which shows they are a strong defensive team. They have conceded only 242 goals this season, which is quite low for a team that has played 78 games. One of the reasons behind Kings' defensive strength is their penalty kill. They are currently second in the NHL in terms of penalty kill percentage, with an impressive 87.8% success rate. In addition to that, they have the fourth-best goals-against average in the league, conceding only 2.80 goals per game. The Kings will be without Gabriel Vilardi, who is day to day with an upper-body injury. However, they still have a strong defensive unit to rely on, which includes Drew Doughty, Olli Maatta, and Mikey Anderson, among others. They will look to limit the Avalanche's offensive firepower, especially Mikko Rantanen, who recorded a hat trick in their last game. The Kings have a good chance of limiting the Avalanche's scoring opportunities, considering their recent defensive form. In their last 10 games, they have only given up 2.4 goals per game, which is quite impressive. They will need to keep up their defensive intensity to win this game. Overall, the Kings have a solid defensive unit that should help them keep this game close. If they can limit the Avalanche's offensive opportunities and capitalize on their own chances, they have a good chance of winning this game. NHL picks experts may predict a close game, and it could be a good option to bet on Kings with the spread or parlays.

Injury Report

The Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings have both been dealing with injuries leading up to their upcoming matchup. For the Kings, center Gabriel Vilardi is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, the Avalanche have several players out or listed as day-to-day. Artturi Lehkonen is out with a finger injury, Josh Manson is out with a lower-body injury, and Pavel Francouz is out with a lower-body injury as well. Captain Gabriel Landeskog is also out with a knee injury and Cale Makar is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. These injuries could impact the strategies and lineups for both teams, and it will be important for the coaching staff to adjust and make the necessary changes to put their team in the best position to win. Fans and NHL picks experts will be keeping a close eye on how the injuries for both sides will factor into their nhl picks and parlays for this game.

Avalanche vs. Kings Prediction:

Avalanche to continue their dominant form The Colorado Avalanche have been in superb form lately, going 8-2-0 in their last ten games with an average of four goals per game. On the other hand, the Los Angeles Kings have gone 5-4-1 in their last ten games, which is an impressive record, but not as good as the Avalanche. While the Kings have a solid home record, the Avalanche have been excellent on the road this season. Additionally, Mikko Rantanen has been in phenomenal form for Colorado, with a hat trick in their last game. With all this in mind, the smart money is on the Avalanche to come out on top in this one.

Pick: Avalanche (-115)