Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Vegas Golden Knights may still have designs on the Presidents' Trophy as they prepare to host the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday night, although their first priority will be to maintain a healthy lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the race for the Pacific divisional title.

Vegas is four points clear of Edmonton with a game in hand following the Oilers' win over Dallas on Saturday night, although the Kings cannot yet be ruled out as they are nine points off top spot, having played a further game less themselves.

While neither team made a particularly big splash at the trade deadline, Vegas's move to bring back a former alternate captain in Reilly Smith seems a lot more significant than the Kings' underwhelming punt on Andrei Kuzmenko, admittedly at no great cost.

Still, given other moves in the Western Conference, it remains to be seen whether either have done enough to ultimately come out on top in the battle to reach the Stanley Cup finals.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights betting picks and predictions

Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 (+135)

Historically, there has been very little between these teams with Vegas edging the regular-season matchups 18-17, which might otherwise point to a Los Angeles win at big odds of +150.

The fact that the Kings have won the last two meetings between the two to lead the season series 2-1 also adds a bit more weight to the underdogs' chances. but other key factors are likely to make a much more crucial difference.

Both teams have been dominant at home so far this season, with no team having won more on home ice than Vegas, who boast a 24-6-3 record at T-Mobile Arena, compared to 14-12-3 on the road.

If anything, the Kings are even more reliant on their home fortress, having gone 20-3-4 at the Crypto.com Arena, while they have a losing record on their travels at 12-17-5.

The Kings have won the last two games against Vegas but both came in LA, winning 6-3 in October and 5-2 last month, having been routed 6-1 on their first trip to Paradise. It would appear that home-ice advantage matters.

Since losing to the Kings in February on their last road game, Vegas has reeled off four successive wins at the T-Mobile Arena, which includes two shutouts as well as a significant 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In contrast, LA endured a five-game skid before snapping that losing run with a 2-1 overtime win over the St Louis Blues on Saturday night.

However, not once in that six-game stretch have the Kings scored more than two goals - which includes a 4-1 defeat in St Louis, a 5-1 loss in Chicago, and a 6-2 mauling at the hands of the Dallas Stars.

Saturday's win came on home ice but going back on the road against an elite offense like Vegas the night after a gruelling overtime win looks far too tall an order, and the Golden Knights can confirm their divisional superiority with something in hand.

Noah Hanifin over 0.5 points (+110)

The Golden Knights have one of the best offenses in the NHL, averaging 3.34 goals per game, and there are threats all over the ice.

One player that has stood up particularly well of late is defenseman Noah Hanifin, who looks great value at +110 to continue his hot streak by registering at least a point on Sunday night.

The 28-year-old is only tied seventh for the Golden Knights with 30 points, but he has hit a purple patch by contributing seven of those in the last five games, scoring two goals and providing five assists.

One of those assists came in the 5-2 defeat in LA in February, but he also assisted in the 6-1 win over the Kings back in October and he looks worth chancing to get on the scoreboard in one way or another on Sunday night.

Odds of +150 for an assist specifically are also worth looking at.

Tomas Hertl anytime goalscorer (+200)

Tomas Hertl is a key cog in Vegas' lineup and ranks third in the team's pointscoring stats with 49 behind only Mark Stone and Jack Eichel, but he is tied-first for goals with 24 alongside Pavel Dorofeyev.

Unlike his line-mate though, Hertl is very much a player in form, having registered eight points in his last seven games, with four goals and four assists.

Hertl has registered at least a point in all three previous games against the Kings this season, but really went to town in the 6-1 home win over their divisional rivals, scoring two goals in a four-point haul at the T-Mobile Arena.

Odds of +200 to register his 25th goal of the season against an out-of-sorts LA side look tempting.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NHL on site.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights odds

Los Angeles Kings	+160 ML
Vegas Golden Knights	-190 ML
Puck Line	VGS Golden Knights -1.5
Total	O/U 5.5

Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Jack Eichel (VGS Golden Knights)	+150
Mark Stone (VGS Golden Knights)	+180
Tomas Hertl (VGS Golden Knights)	+200
Kevin Fiala (LA Kings)	+210
Andrei Kuzmenko (LA Kings)	+210
Adrian Kempe (LA Kings)	+230

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.