Kings To Top Coyotes in Game 2: NHL Pick

The Los Angeles Kings had a long layoff between Rounds 2 and 3, but they showed no signs of rust in Game 1 against the Phoenix Coyotes in the Western Conference Finals. As a matter of fact, they showed that this could be a very quick series.

The Kings took it to the Phoenix Coyotes right from the drop of the puck and, while they won 4-2, the truth is that the scoreline could have been much worse. The Coyotes got two very lucky goals – including one that came from center ice – and should consider it a mild miracle that they were tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. 

Something has to change for the Coyotes – and fast – or they'll have no shot at winning this series.

After NHL lines opened at -130 on the visiting Kings, the moneyline has gone up to -135. The total is at 4 1/2.

The Los Angeles Kings can win because… 

They have turned up the heat on the Coyotes, and they can’t handle it. 

Right from the start of Game 1, the Kings put a ton of pressure on the Coyotes – especially in the offensive zone – and the Coyotes basically showed they can’t handle it. The Kings outshot the Coyotes 17-4 in the first period alone and had many scoring chances compared to the Coyotes, who couldn’t even get a whiff. 

And that’s what the Kings are going to do all series long: make the Coyotes work in their end harder than anyone has made them work before. They put 48 shots on Mike Smith in Game 1, and the Coyotes simply can’t sustain if that’s going to be a regular happening throughout this series. 

The Coyotes need someone to step up on offense, but it doesn’t look like they have that guy. The Kings have Dustin Brown, who is a Conn Smythe frontrunner, Mike Richards and Anze Kopitar. Dwight King is stepping up (two goals in Game 1) and Trevor Lewis is being a pest (two assists in Game 1). The Coyotes are short on studs and that’s a problem. 

And best of all, the Kings are still getting nothing out of their power play. They went 0-for-4 in Game 1 and if they can start producing on special teams, they’re not going to lose Game 2 or this series. 

The Phoenix Coyotes can win because…

It’s just one game. While the media, fans and bettors are already crowning the Kings as the West champions, the Coyotes haven’t flinched in the face of adversity in these playoffs so far and they’re not going to start doing it now. 

Don’t forget: these teams split all six meetings between each other in the regular season. Only once did the Kings win by more than a goal, and the Coyotes responded with a win in the next matchup. 

Many people figured the Kings might be rusty after a six-day layoff, but some bettors forgot that the Coyotes were also off for five days, so it’s entirely possible that they weren’t sharp. Now that they’re back in the flow, they’re not going to be so badly outplayed. 

The Coyotes also didn’t play great in Game 1 against Chicago or Nashville but they still managed to come away with the win. The only difference was this time they didn’t get the breaks. 

They’ll be much more prepared for Game 2.

Outlook & NHL betting prediction: 

At this point, it’s tough to side with the Coyotes. The Kings have yet to lose on the road in the playoffs and they’ve only lost once in 10 games. They laid the wood to Phoenix in Game 1, and the final score really doesn’t do it justice. They fired 90 pucks at Mike Smith with 48 of them hitting the net. If they’re anywhere close to those numbers again, they’re going to win Game 2 just as easily.

The Coyotes got two lucky goals in Game 1 and had very few other chances – even with five power plays. It’s hard to bet against the Kings these days given how well they’re playing. With room to improve in Game 2, bet them again. 

NHL Picks: Kings  +++