LA Kings (26-15-6) at Florida (29-19-3)
- When: Jan 29 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL, USA
- TV: FDSW
Game Preview
The Florida Panthers and Los Angeles Kings square off Wednesday night in Sunrise, Florida, with both teams looking to bounce back from recent losses. The Panthers enter as -155 favorites, while the total is set at 5.5 goals. Florida is looking to defend home ice after an up-and-down road trip, while the Kings are trying to shake off their scoring struggles and turn things around on their five-game road swing. Let’s break down the key betting angles for this matchup.
Florida Panthers Analysis
The Panthers wrapped up their road trip with a 2-2 record after falling 4-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights. Florida has been hovering around .500 for the past month, but considering they’ve played 16 road games in that span, head coach Paul Maurice isn’t hitting the panic button.
Florida’s offense looked explosive in their 7-2 win over San Jose, but they failed to carry that momentum into Vegas, managing just a single goal from Anton Lundell. The Panthers will look to take advantage of home ice, where they’ve played much better, to snap out of their inconsistency.
Defensively, Florida has remained steady despite missing Aaron Ekblad for several games. Ekblad returned to the lineup recently, which should help stabilize the blue line. Goaltender Spencer Knight made 22 saves against Vegas and will need to be sharp again against a struggling Kings offense.
Los Angeles Kings Analysis
The Kings have been in a serious slump, dropping six of their last eight games while struggling to find the back of the net. Their 5-2 loss to Detroit on Monday was another disappointing performance, as they’ve now scored just 15 total goals in their last eight games.
Los Angeles actually took an early 2-0 lead against the Red Wings, benefiting from an own goal by Detroit’s Moritz Seider, but they quickly lost control, allowing four unanswered goals. The Kings’ inability to generate consistent offensive pressure has been a major issue, and head coach Jim Hiller has called out the team’s lack of a sustained forecheck, particularly in second periods.
With their offense sputtering, LA will need a strong defensive effort and solid goaltending to keep this one close. Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves against Detroit, but he’ll need more support from his defense to slow down a Panthers team that can be dangerous on home ice.
Key Matchups & Betting Trends
Panthers’ Home Ice Advantage: Florida has been far more comfortable playing at home, while the Kings are struggling on their road trip.
Kings’ Scoring Woes: With just 15 goals in their last eight games, LA’s offense isn’t clicking, making the Under 5.5 a strong betting angle.
Rematch Factor: These teams last met on Jan. 22, with the Kings securing a narrow 2-1 victory. Florida will be looking for revenge on their home ice.
Betting Predictions
The Panthers have been inconsistent lately, but they return home in a much better spot than the Kings, who continue to struggle offensively. Florida should take control of this game and find enough scoring against an LA squad that has failed to generate offense. Given the Kings’ lack of goal production and Florida’s solid defense, the Under 5.5 is another strong play.
Best Bets:
Florida -155 Moneyline (Panthers return home and take advantage of LA’s struggles.)
Under 5.5 Total Goals (The Kings’ offensive struggles continue, and Florida plays a tight game.)
Final Score Prediction: Florida 3, Los Angeles 1
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
