The red-hot Los Angeles Kings welcome a desperate New York Rangers squad to Crypto.com Arena in what promises to be a compelling cross-conference clash.
While the Kings have been nearly unstoppable lately, winning eight of their last nine games and putting up 14 goals in their previous two outings, the Rangers arrive clinging to playoff hopes with Igor Shesterkin's stellar goaltending keeping them in the hunt.
The Kings' lockdown defense, ranked second in the NHL allowing just 2.52 goals per game, faces off against a Rangers team that somehow managed to score five goals on just 12 shots in their last outing - setting up an intriguing battle between the home team's defensive prowess and the away team's opportunistic offense.
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Los Angeles Kings vs New York Rangers matchup, our predictive model gives the Kings a 65.67% chance of defeating the Rangers.
Pre-game probabilities
Los Angeles Kings
Moneyline
Win %
65.67%
34.33%
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings: 65.67% win probability
- Elite defensive efficiency (Only 177 goals against, 3rd best in Western Conference)
- Strong recent momentum (WWWLW in last 5 games)
- Solid point accumulation (87 points in 69 games played)
New York Rangers: 34.33% win probability
- Inconsistent goal differential (213 goals for, 213 goals against)
- Poor recent form (WLLLW in last 5 games)
- Road performance issues (34 losses, ranking 10th in Eastern Conference)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts..
| Los Angeles Kings | New York Rangers | |
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| Moneyline |
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Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers preview
The red-hot Los Angeles Kings welcome a desperate New York Rangers squad to Crypto.com Arena in what's shaping up to be a fascinating cross-conference clash.
The Kings have been absolutely crushing it lately, dropping just one game in their last nine and coming off back-to-back seven-goal explosions against Carolina and Boston - pretty impressive stuff against two of the league's tougher teams.
Igor Shesterkin's been a bit Jekyll and Hyde for the Rangers this season, but he showed flashes of his old self in that wild Vancouver game where he stonewalled 36 shots despite being massively outshot.
LA's Darcy Kuemper has been a brick wall between the pipes this month, rocking a ridiculous 1.44 GAA and .934 save percentage - numbers that should give the Rangers' offense some serious headaches.
The last time these teams met, LA walked out of MSG with a statement 5-1 win, and they're looking just as dangerous now with seven different players finding the net in their latest victory.
While the Kings are battling Edmonton for second place in the Pacific, New York's fighting for their playoff lives - just one point out of that final wild card spot with games slipping away.
Keep an eye on Jonny Brodzinski, who's found his scoring touch for the Rangers with a couple of clutch goals in their last outing.
With LA's defense ranked second-best in the NHL and both teams struggling on the power play, don't expect a shootout - this one's likely to come down to which team can grind out those even-strength opportunities.
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers form
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers head to head
Los Angeles Kings
33%
New York Rangers
67%
Dec 14, 2024
New York Rangers
1 : 5
Los Angeles Kings
Jan 21, 2024
Los Angeles Kings
2 : 1
New York Rangers
Dec 11, 2023
New York Rangers
4 : 1
Los Angeles Kings
Feb 26, 2023
New York Rangers
5 : 2
Los Angeles Kings
Nov 23, 2022
Los Angeles Kings
3 : 5
New York Rangers
Jan 25, 2022
New York Rangers
3 : 2
Los Angeles Kings
