Blue Jackets vs Kings Betting Preview: Predictions & Odds
The Columbus Blue Jackets travel to Southern California for a challenging Monday night showdown against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. With both teams looking to solidify their playoff positioning before the holiday break, this inter-conference matchup presents compelling betting opportunities for savvy bettors analyzing current NHL trends.
Current Form and Season Standings Analysis
The Columbus Blue Jackets enter this contest riding a frustrating wave of inconsistency, posting a disappointing 14-15-6 record through 35 games. Their recent performance has been particularly concerning, dropping seven of their last eight contests including a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to the Anaheim Ducks in their previous outing. The Blue Jackets currently sit eighth in the Metropolitan Division, struggling to gain traction in what’s becoming a lost season.
Despite showing occasional flashes of competitiveness, Columbus has been unable to string together consecutive victories, with defensive breakdowns costing them crucial points. Their goals-against average of 3.51 ranks dead last in the NHL (32nd), exposing fundamental issues in their defensive structure and goaltending consistency.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings bring a 15-10-9 record into Monday’s affair, positioning themselves in the middle of the fiercely competitive Pacific Division race. The Kings snapped a four-game losing streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay in their most recent appearance, providing a much-needed confidence boost. However, Los Angeles has struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout December, managing just eight goals across their last five contests—a troubling trend for a team with playoff aspirations.
The Kings’ defensive identity remains their calling card, ranking second in the league with just 2.50 goals allowed per game. This stingy defensive approach, anchored by veteran goaltender Darcy Kuemper and a structured defensive system, has kept them competitive even during offensive slumps.
Statistical Deep Dive: Key Player Performance Metrics
Columbus Blue Jackets Offensive Leaders
All-Star defenseman Zach Werenski continues to carry the offensive load for Columbus, tallying an impressive 40 points through 14 goals and a team-leading 26 assists. Werenski’s ability to generate offense from the blue line represents one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign. His status for Monday’s game remains day-to-day after blocking a shot late in Saturday’s contest, making him a critical injury situation to monitor.
Forward Dmitri Voronkov has emerged as a consistent scoring threat with 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists), while Kirill Marchenko adds another dimension with 26 points including 10 tallies and 16 helpers. Veteran center Sean Monahan brings playoff experience and has historically performed well in Pacific Division matchups, recording at least one goal in each of his last seven Monday appearances against Western Conference opponents—a statistically significant trend worth considering for player prop bets.
Adam Fantilli’s development continues with 22 points through 12 goals and 10 assists, showcasing the young forward’s potential despite the team’s collective struggles.
Los Angeles Kings Offensive Production
Adrian Kempe remains the engine driving Los Angeles’ offense, leading the team with 30 points including 13 goals and 17 assists. His ability to generate game-winning goals (ranking tied for first in the league with five) makes him a constant threat in tight, low-scoring affairs that characterize Kings hockey. Kempe’s consistent production makes him an attractive option for anytime goal scorer props.
Kevin Fiala provides secondary scoring with 23 points on a 12-11 tally, representing the only other Kings player to reach double digits in both goals and points. Quinton Byfield’s playmaking ability shines through with 19 points (4 goals, 15 assists), while veteran captain Anze Kopitar contributes 16 points (6 goals, 11 assists) in what he’s announced will be his final NHL season.
Defenseman Brandt Clarke has impressed with offensive contributions from the blue line, posting 15 points through five goals and 10 assists. His ability to join the rush and create scoring chances adds an extra dimension to Los Angeles’ attack.
Goaltending Comparison: The Deciding Factor
The goaltending matchup heavily favors Los Angeles in this contest. Darcy Kuemper has posted solid numbers with a 10-6-6 record, 2.19 goals-against average, and .917 save percentage. His ability to steal games and provide consistent performances makes the Kings legitimate contenders when he’s between the pipes.
Columbus counters with a tandem struggling for consistency. Jet Greaves holds an 8-9-5 record with a 2.77 GAA and .904 save percentage, representing the Blue Jackets’ more reliable option. However, Elvis Merzlikins’ troubling statistics (6-6-1, 4.04 GAA, .877 save percentage) expose Columbus’ vulnerability in net—a critical weakness Los Angeles should exploit.
Historical Matchup Trends and Betting Patterns
The historical head-to-head record heavily favors Los Angeles, with Columbus posting a dismal 28-33-1-7 all-time mark against the Kings. More concerning for Blue Jackets backers, Columbus holds just a 10-22-1-2 record when visiting Los Angeles—a trend that reinforces home-ice dominance at Crypto.com Arena.
Recent betting trends reveal several compelling angles:
Home Advantage Patterns: The home team has dominated recent meetings, covering the puck line in six consecutive matchups between these franchises. This aligns with broader 2024-25 NHL betting trends showing home teams winning approximately 54% of games—consistent with historical patterns.
Columbus Road Struggles: The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in six straight games following road losses, suggesting a pattern of demoralization and inability to bounce back quickly from defeats. Additionally, Columbus has lost the second period in nine consecutive road games against Pacific Division opponents when leading after the first period—a troubling trend indicating adjustment issues.
Los Angeles Home Inconsistencies: Despite their overall solid home record, the Kings have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight home contests, suggesting oddsmakers may be overvaluing their home advantage. However, underdogs have won just three of the Kings’ last four games at Crypto.com Arena, creating a contradictory betting picture.
Favorites vs Underdogs Dynamic: Columbus has seen favorites win in each of their last nine games, reinforcing the notion that the market accurately prices their struggles. Conversely, Los Angeles has lost four of their last five games as favorites against opponents on losing streaks—a concerning counter-trend for Kings backers.
Total Goals Analysis and Betting Considerations
The over/under market for this matchup requires careful analysis given both teams’ recent scoring trends. Seven of Los Angeles’ last eight games against opponents on losing streaks have stayed under the total goals line, suggesting the Kings adopt a defensive-first approach against struggling opponents rather than running up the score.
Columbus mirrors this trend with five consecutive road games following a road loss going under the total, indicating their offensive struggles compound when facing adversity on the road.
However, specific period trends offer alternative angles. The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has connected in nine of Los Angeles’ last 10 games following road victories, while the ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in seven of Columbus’ last eight games as road underdogs. These period-specific props may offer value for bettors looking beyond the full-game total.
Player Prop Betting Opportunities
Several player-specific trends demand attention for prop bet consideration:
Drew Doughty’s Columbus Success: The veteran defenseman has found the back of the net in each of his last three appearances against the Blue Jackets, making him an intriguing anytime goal scorer option despite his defensive role.
Anze Kopitar’s Assist Streak: The Kings captain has recorded at least one assist in seven consecutive home appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents, offering strong value on his points props.
Sean Monahan’s Monday Magic: As mentioned earlier, Monahan’s perfect record scoring goals in his last seven Monday games against Pacific Division teams creates a statistically significant trend worth exploiting.
Zach Werenski’s Facilitating: Columbus’ top defenseman has registered assists in four straight games against Pacific Division opponents, making his assists prop attractive if he’s cleared to play.
Special Teams Dynamics: Power Play and Penalty Kill
Special teams performance could prove decisive in what projects as a tight, defensive contest. The Los Angeles Kings rank an uncharacteristic 30th in power play percentage at just 14.56%, exposing a critical weakness in their offensive arsenal. Their inability to convert with the man advantage has cost them valuable goals during their recent offensive drought.
Columbus fares even worse on the penalty kill, ranking 30th in the league at 72.92% efficiency. This catastrophic kill rate means the Blue Jackets surrender goals on more than one-quarter of their shorthanded situations—a recipe for disaster against any competent power play unit. If Los Angeles can generate power play opportunities and finally convert, the special teams battle could swing decisively in the Kings’ favor.
Expert Betting Analysis and Recommendation
This matchup presents a classic scenario of struggling road team versus defensive home favorite. While Los Angeles hasn’t been dominant, they possess every advantage: superior goaltending, elite defensive metrics, home ice, and historical dominance over Columbus.
The Blue Jackets’ defensive deficiencies, inconsistent goaltending, and inability to win on the road create a perfect storm of negative indicators. Their seven losses in eight games aren’t merely bad luck—they reflect fundamental issues that won’t magically resolve in a hostile environment against a defensively sound opponent.
The -165 moneyline price on Los Angeles offers limited value, but the situation justifies laying the odds. Columbus has proven incapable of keeping pucks out of their net (32nd in goals against), while the Kings’ defensive structure should limit Columbus’ offensive opportunities.
Current 2024-25 NHL betting trends show road underdogs performing slightly better than previous seasons, winning approximately 40.6% of games. However, Columbus doesn’t fit the profile of a live underdog—they’re a fundamentally flawed team facing a bad stylistic matchup.
Primary Pick: Los Angeles Kings Moneyline -165
The straightforward play is backing Los Angeles to win outright. While the juice is significant, the Kings should control this game from start to finish. Their defensive identity, goaltending advantage, and home ice provide multiple paths to victory even if their offense continues sputtering.
Alternative Value Play: Under Total Goals
Given both teams’ recent trends toward low-scoring affairs and Los Angeles’ defensive prowess, the under presents attractive value. Columbus lacks the offensive firepower to engage in shootouts, while the Kings’ style favors grinding out low-scoring victories. Seven of Los Angeles’ last eight games against struggling opponents have stayed under, reinforcing this angle.
Risk-Tolerant Option: Los Angeles Regulation Time Victory
For bettors seeking enhanced odds, backing Los Angeles to win in regulation at improved pricing makes sense. Columbus’ inability to force overtime or mount late comebacks suggests the Kings should close out this game within 60 minutes.
Game Insights: Questions and Answers
How significant is Zach Werenski’s injury status for this matchup?
Werenski’s potential absence would devastate Columbus’ already struggling defense. He leads the team in ice time, power play production, and defensive zone exits. Without their top defenseman, the Blue Jackets would face even longer odds against Los Angeles’ structured attack. Monitor injury reports closely, as his absence would justify increasing Kings exposure.
Can the Kings’ power play finally break out against Columbus’ terrible penalty kill?
The matchup of Los Angeles’ 30th-ranked power play against Columbus’ 30th-ranked penalty kill creates an irresistible force meeting a movable object. Despite their season-long struggles, the Kings should generate quality chances with the man advantage. If they receive multiple power play opportunities, conversion becomes increasingly likely against Columbus’ porous kill unit.
What makes home ice so dominant in this series historically?
The home team’s 6-0-2 record in the last eight series meetings reflects both travel fatigue and stylistic advantages. Los Angeles benefits from last change, allowing them to dictate matchups and exploit Columbus’ defensive weaknesses. The 10:30 PM ET start time also works against Columbus’ circadian rhythms, potentially affecting performance in the game’s critical moments.
Should bettors target specific periods for scoring?
Period-specific props offer compelling value given the historical trends. The second period has proven volatile for both teams, with Los Angeles averaging increased offensive production following road wins. The third period presents over opportunities when Columbus plays as road underdogs, often surrendering late goals while pressing for comebacks. These granular markets may provide better value than full-game totals.
How do current NHL betting trends inform this matchup?
The 2024-25 season has seen road underdogs perform marginally better than previous years, but home teams still maintain a 54% win rate—unchanged from last season. Puck line betting continues favoring underdogs at a 60-40 split, suggesting oddsmakers struggle to accurately price favorites giving 1.5 goals. For this specific matchup, Columbus’ road struggles and Los Angeles’ home strength override broad league trends.
Final Thoughts: Navigating the Betting Landscape
Monday night’s clash between Columbus and Los Angeles presents a straightforward betting opportunity disguised by marginally concerning counter-trends. While some indicators suggest caution backing home favorites against struggling opponents, the fundamental team quality gap makes Los Angeles the correct side.
The Blue Jackets enter having lost seven of eight, ranking last in defensive efficiency, and facing a historically dominant opponent at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings provide superior goaltending, defensive structure, and home-ice advantage—more than enough to overcome their recent offensive inconsistencies.
For bettors seeking optimal value, combining the Kings moneyline with under total goals or exploring period-specific props offers multiple paths to profit. The key remains avoiding overthinking a matchup where talent and situation strongly favor one side.
As always, practice responsible bankroll management and never wager more than you can afford to lose. The beauty of NHL betting lies in the 82-game marathon providing countless opportunities—no single game determines long-term success.
The Pick: Los Angeles Kings -165
