Los Angeles heads to Columbus for a Monday matinee with the Blue Jackets priced as moderate home favorites. Columbus is -140 on the moneyline, with Los Angeles back at +116. The total is 6.5, shaded to the under.
In the standings context, Columbus (32-21-9) is 4th in the Metropolitan with 73 points, while Los Angeles (25-23-14) is 6th in the Pacific with 64 points. Recent form is moving in opposite directions: the Blue Jackets are 7-1-2 in their last 10, and the Kings are 3-6-1.
Odds & Game Info
Odds as of 10:20 a.m. ET on March 9, 2026. Odds listed from BetOnline.
| Game Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Los Angeles Kings @ Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Date/Time | March 9, 2026 4:10 PM ET |
| Arena | Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH) |
| Projected starters (not confirmed) | LA: Darcy Kuemper | CBJ: Elvis Merzlikins (Jet Greaves also listed as possible in some game listings) |
Here are the current betting lines.
| Market | Los Angeles Kings | Columbus Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +116 | -140 |
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-220) | -1.5 (+172) |
| Total (6.5) | Over +110 | Under -134 |
Team Records
This table summarizes the current records and recent form.
| Team | Record | Last 10 | ATS (puck line) | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Kings | 25-23-14 (Road: 15-8-7) | 3-6-1 | 21-38 | 27-33-1 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 32-21-9 (Home: 17-8-6) | 7-1-2 | 32-26 | 28-31-2 |
Team Stats
These are the key per-game scoring, defense, and special teams rates.
| Team | Goals per game | Goals allowed per game | Power play % | Penalty kill % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Kings | 2.56 | 2.90 | 16.8% | 75.3% |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 3.15 | 3.18 | 19.6% | 77.2% |
Recaps
Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles comes in with bottom-tier scoring (2.56 goals per game) and a low team shooting rate (9.3%), which puts pressure on their defensive profile to stay clean. The Kings have still defended reasonably well on the scoreboard (2.90 goals allowed per game), but their margin for error shrinks further with key forwards out.
Injuries matter here: Kevin Fiala (fractured leg), Andrei Kuzmenko (meniscus), and Joel Armia (back) are all listed out. In their most recent game, the Kings dropped a 4-3 decision to Montreal.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus is producing 3.15 goals per game and generating shot volume (29.9 shots per game, top-tier), but the defensive side has been leaky (3.18 goals allowed per game) and they also allow 29.9 shots per game. If the Blue Jackets control pace, their volume can wear teams down, but mistakes have still shown up in key spots.
Columbus enters off a 5-4 overtime loss to Utah. On the injury front, they are listed with no confirmed injuries in the latest projected lineup report, though Dante Fabbro has been mentioned as day-to-day (lower body) in team status notes.
Matchup Keys
- Volume edge vs suppression: Columbus averages 29.9 shots for per game (4th), while Los Angeles allows 27.5 shots against per game (12th). If CBJ sustains that shot gap, the -140 makes more sense.
- Kings scoring ceiling is limited right now: Los Angeles is at 2.56 goals per game (tied for 29th) and is missing Fiala, Kuzmenko, and Armia.
- Special teams do not scream “over”: Both power plays are below 20% (LA 16.8%, CBJ 19.6%), and both penalty kills are in the mid-to-lower tier (LA 75.3%, CBJ 77.2%).
- Columbus defensive risk is real: The Blue Jackets are allowing 3.18 goals per game and 29.9 shots against per game, which keeps LA’s +1.5 in play if the Kings can get average finishing.
- Rest and travel: Neither team is on a back-to-back. Los Angeles travels into Columbus, while the Blue Jackets stay home to finish a homestand spot.
Betting Trends
- Columbus is 17-8-6 at home this season.
- Los Angeles is 15-8-7 on the road this season.
- Columbus is 7-1-2 in its last 10 games.
- Los Angeles is 3-6-1 in its last 10 games.
- Los Angeles is 21-38 against the puck line this season.
- Columbus is 32-26 against the puck line this season.
- Los Angeles is tied for 29th in goals per game (2.56).
- Columbus ranks top-tier in shots for per game (29.9), while Los Angeles is mid-pack (27.7).
- The prior meeting this season: Columbus won 3-1 on December 22, 2025.
Best Bet
Under 6.5 (-134).
Los Angeles profiles as an under team in this spot because their offense is already producing just 2.56 goals per game and they are missing multiple forwards that impact finishing and puck transport. Columbus can generate volume, but the total is a high bar at 6.5 with both power plays below 20%. If this game spends most of its minutes at 5v5, the Kings’ best path is slowing pace and keeping it in the half-court, which also helps an under ticket.
Predicted Score
Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final score of Columbus 4, Los Angeles 1
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