We only have one NHL game on the schedule for Friday, November 18, and it’s a divisional clash in Vancouver, so make sure you don’t miss out on the best Kings vs. Canucks betting pick and odds.

Los Angeles is looking for the sixth win in seven games when they visit Vancouver at Rogers Arena. The Canucks are -120 moneyline favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. These Pacific Division foes have met three times last season, and the Canucks won two of those games.

Kings bounced back in Edmonton

The Los Angeles Kings (11-7-1-0, 11-8 ATS) are currently on a road trip in Canada. After losing the opening game of that trip to the Calgary Flames, the Kings responded with a 3-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Los Angeles now climbed up to the 2nd position in the Western Conference and has ten more points than Vancouver.

Trevor Moore recorded the first hat-trick of his NHL career after scoring all three goals for the Kings in a win against the Oilers. Viktor Arvidsson also had a hat-trick, but a hat-trick of assists, as he and Moore dominated Edmonton. Calvin Petersen registered 22 saves. This season, Los Angeles has even nine individuals with 10+ points. Kevin Fiala leads the bunch with 18 points (G 6, A 12), while Gabriel Vilardi (G 10, A 5) and Trevor Moore (G 5, and A 10) are following him.

Jonathan Quick (6-5-1) is a probable goalie against the Canucks on Friday. The 36-year-old is allowing 3.09 goals per contest with a .895 SV% and one shutout.

LW Alex Iafallo has been assigned to the long-term injured reserve list for a lower-body issue, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.

Canucks snapped a losing streak in Buffalo

The Vancouver Canucks (5-9-2-1, 9-8 ATS) returned home from a five-game road trip on which they got a pair of wins. They snapped a three-game losing skid with a 5-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres but are still only two points above the bottom of the Western Conference.

Vancouver scored three goals in the second period in Buffalo and had two power-play goals opposite the Sabres’ zero. Bo Horvat was the first star of the game with a goal and two assists, while Elias Pettersson contributed with two points. These two players have been the most productive for the Canucks so far this season with 20 points apiece. J.T. Miller has 16 (G 10, A 6), while Quinn Hughes recorded 14 assists up to this point.

Thatcher Demko (1-8-2) will take his place between the sticks when the Kings come to Vancouver on Friday. The 26-year-old is allowing 4.02 goals per game with a .874 SV% and without shutouts.

LW Tanner Pearson (hand) is out indefinitely, while RW Vasily Podkolzin (facial) is questionable to feature on Friday against Los Angeles.

Trends:

Los Angeles:

  • 5-1 in the last six overall
  • 9-2 in the last 11 after allowing two goals or less in their previous game
  • 4-1 in the last five games playing on one day of rest

Vancouver:

  • 5-13 in the last 18 overall
  • 2-9 in the last 11 vs. a team with a winning record
  • 1-5 in the last six games following a win

Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks Pick  

Vancouver allowed at least three goals in each of its last seven games, and the Canucks do have the third-worst defense in the NHL that allows 4.06 goals per game. Thatcher Demko is conceding 4.02 goals per contest, and I am backing the Kings, who scored 4+ goals in two of their previous three games, to score a minimum of four on Friday. The Kings are in better form and are the 2nd best team in the West at the moment, and I think the visitors can get an edge against Vancouver.

Pick: Take the Kings to win (-102)

The Total

Although Jonathan Quick is a better goaltender than Demko and has more experience, he is not in top form this season. Los Angeles is allowing 3.37 goals per game, while Vancouver actually has a higher-scoring offense than the Kings as they average 3.41 goals per game. I am backing them to contribute here with two or three goals. Over is 7-2-1 in the Kings’ last ten road games; Over is 8-2-1 in Los Angeles’ previous 11 games following a win, while Over is 12-3-1 in the Canucks’ last 16 vs. Pacific Division rivals.

Pick: Go Over 6.5 goals (-110)