NHL Hockey
2012-05-17 - Phoenix Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Thursday, May 17th, 2012, 9:00PM US
(2:00AM GMT)
PREVIEW
There is momentum, and then there is this thing the Kings have. Los Angeles topped Phoenix 4-2 in the opener, and then totally outclassed them in Game 2, winning 4-0. Both those games were away games, and the series now moves to California, where you would have to have some real cojones to bet against the King. To quote Omar Little - Come at the King, you best not miss". Someone ought to have told the Coyotes.
The Kings just don't know how to lose on the road this postseason. They have now won 7 straight playoff games, and a record equalling 7 straight road games in the playoffs. I knew the pressure would be too much for Phoenix and it has been, with them blowing both home games to all but assure themselves of elimination. The pressure has caused them to lose they cool, giving up needless penalties too. Martin Hanzal got tossed from the game and the Kings were able to score a few 5 on 3 goals that did them no harm at all. The Coyotes gave up 13 penalties in Game 2 alone, totalling 56 minutes. No wonder they got trounced.
The Kings have just a 2.00GAA this season now, and that drops down to 1.87 when they are playing at home in the Staples Center. Their postseason record is now 10-1 this season, and in that time they have eliminated big names. The Vancouver Canucks were beaten 4-1 in that series, following which they dumped out the St. Louis Blues 4-0. Now Phoenix are 0-2 down to them and facing 2 games away in LA. The Kings are on a serious roll here, and while you could normally talk about the letdown angle, it does not apply to this team, that is proving as relentless as something out of the Terminator films.
Los Angeles continues to be great at defence too. They recorded a shutout in Game 2 and their penalty kill is now astounding, no conceding in the last 28 PowerPlays they've faced going back to the final game against Vancouver.
Make no mistake, the Coyotes will be seriously doubting themselves here, knowing they will have blown it at home. The pressure might be off a bit, but Los Angeles will not suffer a letdown in their first home game, when the Coyotes will likely be in a stronger frame of mind to get something back. The Kings will play this one solid to give themselves a 3-0 lead that will all but guarantee progression to the Stanley Cup.
BETTING VERDICT
The Kings postseason record is phenomenal. I can only bet this game if I'm backing LA and that is what I shall do.
The Pick :
Los Angeles Kings
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take the LA Kings -0.5 (Regulation) @ 1.90 (Pinnacle)
