It took a while, but the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks finally have a head-to-head matchup this season. Last year, all three meetings finished 2-1, with two of those requiring overtime.
However, the 2023-24 campaign is much different, as the Kings are fighting for third in the Pacific Division. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are stuck at the bottom of the Central, with a wide gap between them and the closest team.
With only two games on the schedule, a lot of eyes will be fixed on this contest. How will things unfold in the Windy City?
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Odds
| Team | Puck Line | Total | MoneyLine |
| Kings | -1.5
-108 |
O 5.5
-122 |
-278 |
| Blackhawks | +1.5
-112 |
U 6
+102 |
+225 |
| **Odds Courtesy of DraftKings** | |||
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Match Details
- Fixture: Los Angeles Kings @ Chicago Blackhawks
- Date and Time: Friday, March 15, 2024, 8:30 p.m. EDT
- Venue: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Blackhawks | vs. | Kings |
| 18-43-5 | Record | 33-21-11 |
| 2.18 | Goals Per Game | 3.02 |
| 27.0 | Shots Per Game | 33.0 |
| 8.1% | Shooting Percentage | 9.1% |
| 16.4% | Power Play | 21.6% |
| 46.8% | Faceoff | 50.2% |
| 594 | Penalty Minutes | 535 |
| 3.55 | Goals Against Per Game | 2.60 |
| 32.6 | Shots Against Per Game | 28.4 |
| .897 | Save Percentage | .912 |
| 77.9% | Penalty Kill | 86.5% |
| 1 | Shutouts | 5 |
Key Stats
Chicago Blackhawks
- The Blackhawks are last in goals per game and shooting percentage. However, they’ve scored 5+ goals in three of their last four
- Rookie Connor Bedard paces Chicago in goals (20), assists (31), points (51), and shots on goal (160)
- Reese Johnson and Connor Murphy are out for this game
- The Chicago Blackhawks are 3-2-0 in their last five contests
Los Angeles Kings
- The Los Angeles Kings have the best penalty killing percentage in the NHL
- Los Angeles was held to exactly one goal in three of their last five games
- They won’t have Viktor Arvidsson or Carl Grundstrom for this matchup
- Kevin Fiala leads LA in assists (36) and points (57)
- The Kings are 2-2-1 in their last five
Match Prediction
Inconsistent is the best way to describe the Kings these days. They may not be slumping as they were during January, but this team is alternating great performances with duds. The same can’t be said for the Blackhawks right now, who have suddenly found a pulse offensively.
That Chicago is finding the back of the net often doesn’t bode well for Los Angeles. Even without an offensive presence, the Blackhawks were a tough team to blow out at home. Expect this to be a fight from start to finish. Chicago may not win, but they’ll make the Kings sweat.
Final Pick
Chicago Blackhawks +1.5 (-112)
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Follow Andre on Twitter at @TowerTalkSports. You can also reach out to Andre Ifill via email at andre.ifill.jr@gmail.com. For Andre’s hockey talk, listen to this podcast every weekday. Andre also discusses the NFL, NBA, and MLB here. You can read and follow Andre’s betting picks at Winners and Whiners or read more of his stuff here on Total Apex Sports. He has spent years writing, talking, and picking sports professionally at the highest level.
