Islanders vs Kings Prediction, Best Bets & Projected Lineups (Thursday, Mar. 5)

• The Kings are -135 moneyline favorites over the Islanders on Thursday, Mar 5
• LA ranks second-worst in goals for during 5-on-5 play this season
• See my Islanders vs Kings prediction and best bets, along with the projected lineups for Thursday, Mar. 5, below

A pair of playoff hopefuls hit the ice tonight in LA, as the Islanders (35-22-5, 18-12-3 away) visit the Kings (24-22-14, 9-14-7 home). New York currently occupies third place in the Metropolitan Division, five points up on fourth-place Columbus. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is currently 5 points outside the playoff picture, and are mired in a 1-6 stretch.

Online sportsbooks expect the Kings fortunes to turn around tonight, pegging them as -135 moneyline favorites in the latest NHL odds. That’s a side I’ll be looking to fade, and I’ll also be betting the under as part of my Islanders vs Kings best bets.

Puck drop for this pivotal clash is set for 6:30 pm PT, 9:30 pm ET, inside the Crypto.com Arena, in Los Angeles, CA, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

Here are my Islanders vs Kings prediction and best bets, along with the projected lineups for Thursday, Mar. 5.

Islanders vs Kings Prediction and Best Bets

• Under 5.5 Goals (-105 at BetMGM)
• New York Islanders Moneyline (+122 at FanDuel)

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It’s impossible to gloss over LA’s recent form. They’ve been outscored 27-14 over their last seven games, lighting the lamp more than twice in just one of those contests. They enter play with the second-lowest goals for during 5-on-5 play, and own a bottom-six power play. The Kings boast just one 20-goal scorer on their roster, while Quinton Byfield, a top-three scorer is in jeopardy of missing this game.

So far, the addition of Artemi Panarin has yet to pay dividends, as the expensive winger has yet to score in four contests. LA also ranks in the bottom half of the league in scoring chances created and high danger opportunities, which means they’re not unlucky; they’re simply not putting themselves in a good position to find the back of net.

NYI vs LAK: Advanced 5-on-5 Stats

The only reason LA is even in the postseason hunt is because of their play in their own end. The Kings rank fourth in expected goals allowed, and have yielded the fewest high danger goals at even strength. Their defense does an excellent job of keeping pucks outside the primary scoring zones, making Darcy Kuemper’s life much easier.

New York meanwhile, is just as strong defensively, and are getting exceptional play from Ilya Sorokin, more on him below. The Isles lead the league in shutouts and rank seventh in goals against during 5-on-5 play, and 10th in penalty kill percentage.

Offensively, the ceiling isn’t as high as the big-time Stanley Cup odds contenders, but it won’t take many goals to put the Kings away given their offensive struggles. Captain Anders Lee enters play riding a four-game goal scoring streak, while Calder Trophy odds favorite Matthew Schaefer has already cracked the 20-goal plateau.

New York enters play having scored four or more times in four of their past six games, winning five of those matchups, including three on the road.

Islanders vs Kings Projected Lineups

Sorokin has already been confirmed as the Isles starter tonight, while Kuemper is expected to suit up for LA. Sorokin has won four straight starts and 10 of his past 13, and ranks third among netminders in save percentage, and first in shutouts.

Ilya Sorokin vs Darcy Kuemper Stats

As mentioned, Byfield is doubtful for the Kings, while the team is also missing another top-three scorer in Kevin Fiala, who’s on IR thanks to an injury suffered at the Olympics.

The long question mark on the Isles roster is defenseman Ryan Pullock, who ranks second on the team among blueliners in ice time, and third in scoring.