The 11-game slate scheduled for Thursday, March 16, in the NHL, will conclude with this inter-conference clash in Los Angeles, and here you can read the best Blue Jackets vs. Kings betting pick and odds.

Columbus will play the first game of a back-to-back set when they visit Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings are -275 moneyline favorites on BetDSI Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. These inter-conference rivals will face for the second time this year; the Blue Jackets won 6-5 in overtime in Columbus.

Blue Jackets edged the Sharks in OT

The Columbus Blue Jackets (21-38-6-1, 33-33 ATS) snapped their four-game losing streak with a 6-5 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks. It was the first of a five-game road trip for the Blue Jackets, but even after that win, they are still the worst team in the NHL with 49 points, ten below the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference.

Columbus dropped a 5-3 lead in the third period as the Sharks managed to score a pair of goals and force overtime. However, Johnny Gaudreau netted a game-winning goal for the Blue Jackets in OT. The Blue Jackets deserved to get a win here as they attempted 48 shots opposite San Jose’s 32. Gaudreau erupted for five points (two goals and three assists). He is Columbus’ only player among the top 100 in the NHL when it comes to points with 62 (G 17, A 45).

Michael Hutchinson (0-1-1) is a probable goaltender against the Kings on Thursday. The 33-year-old is surrendering 4.36 goals per game this year with a .873 SV% and no shutouts.

D Zach Werenski (shoulder), D Jake Bean (upper body), C Sean Kuraly (oblique), G Elvis Merzlikins (personal), and C Justin Danforth (upper body) are out indefinitely and will not play on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Kings beat the Islanders at home

The Los Angeles Kings (39-20-7-2, 37-31 ATS) were on a five-game winning streak but couldn’t make it six in a row as they fell short of the Nashville Predators in the shootout. Still, the Kings returned to winning ways in the very next game with a 5-2 home victory over the New York Islanders. Los Angeles is currently on a seven-game home stand. The Kings are now 3rd in the West with 87 points, only three behind the leaders Vegas Golden Knights.

Los Angeles lost the opening period 1-0 to the Isles but then scored four straight goals in the second and celebrated a deserved 5-2 win in the end. The Kings attempted 37 shots opposite New York’s 28; Vladislav Gavrikov led the team with two points. Talking about points, Kevin Fiala leads the Kings this year with 68 (G 22, A 46), followed by Anze Kopitar with 62 (G 25, A 37) and Adrian Kempe with 52 points (G 32, A 30).

Pheonix Copley (20-4-3) will be at the goal against the Blue Jackets on Thursday. The 31-year-old is allowing 2.69 goals per contest this season with a .902 SV% and one shutout.

RW Kevin Fiala (lower body) and D Sean Durzi (undisclosed) are questionable to feature on Thursday against the Blue Jackets.

Trends:

Columbus:

  • 3-14 in the last 17 after scoring five goals or more in their previous game
  • 1-4 in the last five after allowing five goals or more in their previous game
  • 1-6 in the last seven Thursday games

Los Angeles:

  • 6-1 in the last seven overall
  • 7-1 in the last eight home games
  • 10-1 in the last 11 when their opponent scores five goals or more in their previous game
  • 4-1 in the last five vs. Eastern Conference rivals

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Los Angeles Kings Pick

The Kings have a better offense and defense than the Blue Jackets and anything but a big win here would be surprising. Columbus did surprise Los Angeles in the previous H2H when the Blue Jackets won 6-5 in OT, but that is not going to happen on Thursday. The Kings have been playing very well at home lately and are fighting for one of the top seeds in the West, while Columbus is likely going to finish the season as the last team in the East. That said, I am backing the Kings to secure a comfortable win here.

Pick: Take the Kings at -1.5 Puck Line (-132)

The Total

We saw 11 goals in the previous H2H duel, and although I don’t expect to see 10+ this time around, I do expect a high-scoring affair. Michael Hutchinson conceded nine goals in his last two starts, and Columbus allowed five goals in each of the last five games. I am backing the Kings to score at least five here. Over is 4-0 in the Blue Jackets’ last four overall; Over is 4-0 in Columbus’ previous four road games, while Over is 10-2-1 in the Kings’ last 13 after allowing two goals or less in their previous game.

Pick: Go Over 6.5 goals (-110)