After splitting the weekend in Nashville and Chicago, the LA Kings head east, meeting the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.

Projected Lineups

LA Kings (26-17-6)

Here’s how the Kings skated in their win over the Blackhawks on Sunday:

We’ll learn more at the morning skate if any of the injured forwards are able to return.

Philadelphia Flyers (20-21-7)

The Flyers erased a three-goal deficit on Sunday before falling 5-3 to Winnipeg.

5-on-5

Here’s how the two teams match up at 5-on-5 per Natural Stat Trick

Team CF% xGF% SCF% HDCF% SH% SV% PDO
Los Angeles Kings 51.9 53.1 52.1 53.2 7.9 0.903 0.982
Philadelphia Flyers 47.2 46.5 45.2 45.0 7.6 0.917 0.993

At just a game under .500, the Flyers have been more competitive than expected this season. While still not good, their 5-on-5 numbers are respectable given their roster and are even better when adjusting for score and venue over the past 25 games. As the Kings found out in the two teams’ previous meeting, this won’t be an easy one.

Special Teams

Team PP% PK%
Los Angeles Kings 24.4 73.5
Philadelphia Flyers 16.9 77.0

As we approach Game 50 of the season, it is refreshing to see the LA Kings’ power play still in the top ten in the NHL. If only they could figure out the penalty kill.

Betting Odds

Let’s look at the odds, courtesy of Betstamp.

*Note: the odds below are for sports books offered in New York. Refer to available sports books specific to your state.

**Odds as of 10 am ET/7 am PT may have changed since this was published.

Via Betstamp

The Kings enter the game as road favorites, with a few books offering -130. The best number on the hosts is at BetRivers (+118). The total on the game is six, with FanDuel’s -108 the best number on the Over and BetRivers’ -105 the way to go on the Under.

Though the Flyers are playing some better hockey of late, I laid -135 with the Kings last night, so I’d play them at these prices.

News & Notes

  • Since the Flyers’ 4-2 win over the Kings at the end of 2022, they are 7-4 in the 11 games that followed. Despite LA controlling over 62% of the shot attempts and 64% of the expected goals at 5-on-5 (per Natural Stat Trick), they couldn’t find the back of the net enough to overcome another shaky Jonathan Quick start.
  • Speaking of Quick, after coming into the game within the first minute in Nashville, it was Pheonix Copley who was back in goal on Sunday in Chicago. Despite the shaky beginning in Nashville, Copley still is the best option the Kings have.
  • While most of the team performed well against the Blackhawks, Alex Turcotte was particularly strong in his season debut. He only played 8:10 of 5-on-5 action but led the team in On-Ice CF% (72.7%), and his line with Rasmus Kupari and Samuel Fagemo had over 62% of shot attempts in their 6:49 of time together. Turcotte’s time with the team is likely limited to how long Trevor Moore, Arthur Kaliyev, and Gabriel Vilardi are injured, but if he can play well, he’ll at least open some eyes for a call-up later in the season.
  • For the second game in the past week, Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion was in attendance watching the LA Kings. The Senators have a need on the right side of the defense, but given how far out of the playoff picture they are, plus the injury news to Josh Norris, you’d have to expect they want a player with term on their contract to help them next season. Each Matt Roy, Sean Walker, and Sean Durzi would fit that bill.
  • It’s also not out of the question the two teams are discussing a goaltender. Veteran Cam Talbot is on an expiring contract in Ottawa; perhaps Rob Blake views him as an option down the stretch? Left-shot defenseman Nick Holden is also a UFA at the end of this season. Here’s hoping neither of those is being considered by the Kings.
  • Carter Hart will get the start for Philly.

 

(Main Photo Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu / Associated Press)

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